Trial

A trial is a process conducted in a Court before a Judge and (usually) a Jury in which the participants meet in order to decide a Case. The Prosecution attempts to prove that the Defendant is guilty of the Charges and the Defense tries to prove that the Defendant is innocent. Trials have a rich schematic structure which is only partially represented here. The Trial frame is the part of the Criminal Process frame that occurs after a crime, Arrest of a suspect, Arraignment, jury selection, etc. and before Sentencing and punishment or release. The Trial is made up of court appearances. The beginning of the Trial generally involves opening arguments, in which the Prosecution and the Defense present their respective points of view. Then during the course of the Trial, both sides present evidence, some of which is provided by witnesses with testimony, and this is then drawn upon as support for their arguments. Following the presentation of evidence, testimony, and arguments, generally culminating in closing arguments for each side, the Jury (if present) deliberates and either comes to no sufficient consensus or produces a Verdict.