The criminal justice process - Trial

Once a case has been assigned to a judge, and pre-trial motions have concluded, the judge will facilitate jury selection, also called voir dire. This is when a panel of jurors will be summoned to appear for court. Each juror will be provided a number and they will participate in questioning from the judge, the prosecution and defense. Jury selection will conclude with 12 jurors and usually a couple alternates.

When jury selection is complete, the state will, and the defense may present their opening statements to the jury. During opening statements, attorneys outline their case by presenting an overview of the facts and witnesses they intend to call during trial.

The State has the burden to prove their case by beyond a reasonable doubt and will present its case first. The state will call witnesses one at a time to present evidence to the jury. Witnesses may include:

• Victims
• Individuals who saw or have information related to the case,
• First responders like medics,
• Law enforcement,
• Medical professionals, and
• Other related experts.

The prosecution will contact each witness in advance of trial and communicate expectations and logistics for the time and day of testimony. It is important to know that once trial begins:

• There can be unexpected continuances, delays or changes to the schedule.
• Witnesses may be expected to be present on a specific day and time.

After the State has called all its witnesses, the State will rest, and the defense may call witnesses. Both the defense and the prosecution can cross examine or ask questions of the opposing side’s witnesses.

During trial, attorneys may make objections that may require additional arguments outside of the jury’s presence and before the judge. These arguments may have to do with case law, evidence rules, or previous pre-trial rulings.

After the defense rests, the State may call rebuttal witnesses. When testimony is complete the attorneys will present closing arguments.

Closing Argument is the final opportunity for each side to summarize their strongest case before the jury. The attorneys will remind the jury of the evidence and facts that they presented at trial and provide legal argument regarding the defendant’s guilt or innocence.

Before the jury begins deliberations, the Judge will provide them with a set of instructions to help them understand the law and what is expected from them during deliberations.

The jury instructions will guide the jury’s deliberations until they have reached a decision or “verdict”.

Upon receipt of the verdict, the court will notify both the prosecutor and defense attorneys. Court will resume within 30 minutes to 1 hour depending how quickly the parties return to court.

The verdict will be read out loud in court. There are three possible verdicts, with a unique outcome:

• "Guilty" – The defendant is convicted, and the court will schedule a sentencing hearing a few weeks out.
• "Not guilty" – The jury decides that the case was not proven beyond a reasonable doubt and the defendant is released.
• "Hung jury" – The jury unable to unanimously agree on the defendant’s guilt or innocence, and the case may be re-tried.