What happens to someone after they're arrested for murder?

Question

I'm currently working on a novel in which the main character is killed by her husband. For credibility, I need to know what would happened to the husband immediately following his arrest and beyond (he readily admits to murdering her, so it isn't like he's trying to proclaim his innocence or anything).

Also - what would happen to their home, since the wife is dead and the husband is incarcerated? Would power of attorney be granted to their children, or what?

Thanks so much for any input!

Answer 1

well if he killed her either hes charged with life in prison or the harshest penalty which is death if they have any children over the age of 18 there home cars bills and everything that belonged to there parents will go to them

Answer 2

To follow the justice system for procedures, when a person is arrested on any charge, they are booked ( prints taken, mugshots, criminal records and wants/warrents run, etc).

Next step is arraignment. This is the formal charging of a crime by a Judge. At arraignment, the only charge the defendant is allowed to give is "Not guilty". No other plea is allowed by law. At this point in time, the Judge will either set, raise or deny bail. Bail is a guarantee that the person will return to court for trial. If a person is deemed to be a security risk of flight, he will be held in jail. A defendant has the right to pay his own bail or use a bailbondsman for a 10% fee, which the bondsman keeps as his profit when the person goes to court.

The next step is disclosure and pretrial. Disclosure is where the prosecutor gives all his evidenciary information to the defense. Pretrial is a discussion between both sides of the case itself and a plea bargain MAY be offered to the defendant. Plea bargains are offered to save the taxpayer money by not having an expensive trial and is a guilty plea which cannot be appealed by the defendant at a later date.

If no plea is offered or accepted, the case will go to trial.

In answering your other question, if the husband is being held in jail, he will be given opportunity to make calls and set up anyone of his choosing to take care of his house, bills and children. Legal representation is allowed in any jail during "reasonable" hours for this purpose.

I hope this helps and you can find it useful