Which aspect of the criminal justice process is least likely to occur for most cases?

The full processing through the entire formal justice system is the aspect that is least likely to occur for most cases. Many criminal cases do not progress beyond the initial stages of the justice system due to various reasons. For instance, some cases may get dismissed before going to trial, either because the evidence is insufficient or due to plea deals, where the defendant may plead guilty to lesser charges. Additionally, a significant number of cases may be resolved during pretrial processes or are dropped by the prosecution altogether.

In contrast, the initial suspect investigation by law enforcement is a fundamental first step that almost all cases undergo, as law enforcement agencies must investigate to gather evidence and identify suspects. Similarly, defense strategies are typically employed in court whenever cases do reach that stage, and prosecutors are usually required to file charges after gathering enough evidence to warrant further legal action. Therefore, it is the comprehensive processing of cases through each phase of the formal justice system that is least common, as many cases do not take this path.