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court to answer the allegations. The grand jury process is a formality which generally does result in an indictment. FELONY ARRAIGNMENT Superior court is designed to handle all felony cases, as well as any misdemeanor cases that have been appealed from district court. If the district attorney receives a true bill of indictment from the grand jury, an arraignment hearing is held in superior court where the charges against the individual are heard by the seated superior court judge. A plea of guilty or not guilty is heard by the judge and the plea is then entered. Several things can occur at this hearing: The defendant enters a guilty plea and is sentenced, or the case is continued for a hearing at a later date; The superior court judge may appoint an attorney for the defendant; A plea bargain arrangement may be entered into by the defense attorney and the district attorney; · The judge may reduce or increase bond; · The judge may dismiss all charges against the defendant and/or · The defendant enters a not guilty plea, and the judge may order a jury trial and set the trial date. The arraignment may be waived by a defendant pleading not guilty only if the defendant is represented by counsel. MISDEME~ANOR OR FELONY TRIAL AND SENTENCING Misdemeanor cases are disposed of in district court, though they may be appealed to superior court. During a district court trial, the defendant may plead guilty to a misdemeanor and be sentenced by the judge, since misdemeanants are not entitled to a jury trial. Defendants who plead guilty are often given "credit for time served" which is credit for serving an active sentence, even though the defendant had been in pretrial status in the jail. If a defendant pleads "not guilty", a trial is held. If a trial is held, both defense and prosecution present evidence and the district court judge renders a verdict of guilty or not guilty. If the defendant is found not guilty s/he is released. Ifa defendant is found guilty, the judge imposes sentence. The sentence imposed by the judge may be appealed to superior court immediately or at any time within a ten day period. At the trial in superior court, the defendant will either voluntarily plead guilty to a felony or misdemeanor, be acquitted by a twelve member jury, in which case s/he is set free and any bond is returned, or be found guilty by the jury. Before imposing the sentence, the judge sometimes seeks information from law enforcement or probation officers. Sentences imposed in superior court may be' appealed to the North Carolina appellate courts under certain circumstances.