What are the major steps of a trial?

Asked by: Narciso Casper V  |  Last update: December 28, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (60 votes)

Criminal trial overview
  • Pick a jury and evidence issues. Jury selection. ...
  • Opening statements. Both sides start by giving an overview of what they plan to show at the trial. ...
  • Prosecution presents its case. The prosecution presents its witnesses and evidence. ...
  • Defense presents it case. ...
  • Closing arguments. ...
  • Jury makes a decision.

What are the 5 basic steps of the trial process?

A Look at the Trial Process
  • Presentation of Evidence and Testimony of Witnesses. The plaintiff's or prosecution's case is presented first. ...
  • Closing Arguments. ...
  • Presentation of Jury Instructions (Charging the Jury) ...
  • Deliberation. ...
  • Announcement of the Verdict.

What are the 7 steps in a jury trial?

CRIMINAL TRIAL PROCESS STEPS
  • Selecting a jury.
  • Opening statements.
  • Witness testimonies and cross-examination.
  • Closing arguments.
  • Jury instruction.
  • Deliberation and verdict.

What are the 7 basic steps in a criminal case?

Steps of The Criminal Justice System
  • Arrest. An arrest is made by the Police/Sheriff Department or a citation to appear in Court is issued. ...
  • Initial Appearance. ...
  • Preliminary Hearing or Trial Information. ...
  • Arraignment. ...
  • Pleas. ...
  • Jury Selection. ...
  • Trial. ...
  • A trial usually consists of the following steps:

What are the 8 steps in a trial?

Criminal Trial: 8 Main Stages
  • Step 1: Arrest. A criminal case starts when a person is arrested for the crime. ...
  • Step 2: Bail. ...
  • Step 3: Arraignment. ...
  • Step 4: Preliminary hearing. ...
  • Step 5: Pre-trial conference. ...
  • Step 6: Jury trial. ...
  • Step 7: Sentencing. ...
  • Step 8: Appeal.

What is the Court Process of a Criminal Case?

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What are the 6 steps in a criminal trial?

Criminal trial overview
  • Pick a jury and evidence issues. Jury selection. ...
  • Opening statements. Both sides start by giving an overview of what they plan to show at the trial. ...
  • Prosecution presents its case. The prosecution presents its witnesses and evidence. ...
  • Defense presents it case. ...
  • Closing arguments. ...
  • Jury makes a decision.

How many stages does trial have?

The earliest phase trials may look at whether a drug is safe or the side effects it causes. Later phase trials aim to test whether a new treatment is better than existing treatments. There are 3 main phases of clinical trials – phases 1 to 3.

What are the 6 stages of committing a crime?

Here's how California's criminal justice process works, in layman's terms:
  • Arrest. Police will arrest you for an alleged wrongdoing. ...
  • Arraignment. ...
  • Preliminary Hearing. ...
  • Pre-Trial Conference. ...
  • Trial. ...
  • Sentencing and Appeals.

What comes after preliminary?

At the end of Preliminary Hearing, the case is “bound over” to the District Court. This means the case file goes form Magistrate Court to District Court and all future hearings will be held there. It is usually about a month until the next hearing, which is an Arraignment.

What are two things jurors should never do?

Don't lose your temper, try to bully, or refuse to listen to the opinions of other jurors. Don't mark or write on exhibits or otherwise change or injure them. Don't try to guess what might happen if the case you have heard is appealed.

How long do most trials take?

How long does a trial take? The length of each trial varies depending on the type of trial, the complexity of the issues involved with that trial, and how long jurors are expected to spend in deliberations. Most trials are completed within a few days to a week.

Can a judge overrule a jury?

A judge will issue a JNOV if he or she determines that no reasonable jury could have reached the jury's verdict based on the evidence presented at trial, or if the jury incorrectly applied the law in reaching its verdict.

How to convince a judge to not put you in jail?

Defending the Case

The best way to avoid jail is to avoid a conviction by getting the case dismissed, either by filing motions to suppress or going to trial and getting a not guilty verdict from the jury.

Who goes first in closing arguments?

The plaintiff, having the burden of proof, usually has the right to give her closing argument first, followed by the defendant's closing argument. In many jurisdictions, the plaintiff may use all of the allotted time, or the plaintiff may reserve time (e.g., ten minutes) to use after the defendant's closing argument.

Can I sue after being found not guilty?

If you are accused of a crime and acquitted or otherwise found not guilty of the offense, you can still face a civil lawsuit for the same incident. The Double Jeopardy clause only protects you from subsequent criminal prosecution in the legal system.

How long does a plea hearing take?

This really depends on the court and the number of defendants at the hearing. In some cases, the plea hearing can be over in 10 to 15 minutes. These are quick in and out hearings. In contrast, some plea hearings may take more than 2 hours.

What is the most common result of a preliminary hearing?

The most common outcome of a preliminary hearing is the judge's decision to hold the defendant to answer on the charges. This means the judge has found sufficient probable cause to believe that the defendant committed the crime and the case will proceed to trial.

How does a plea deal work?

In plea bargains, prosecutors usually agree to reduce a defendant's punishment. They often accomplish this by reducing the number of charges of the severity of the charges against defendants. They might also agree to recommend that defendants receive reduced sentences .

What crime has no frustrated stage?

Yes--some crimes have NO frustrated stage. Examples are: (1) Rape--where the gravamen of it is carnal knowledge, the slightest penetration of the female organ consummates the felony. (2) Arson--where the burning of even a portion of the building is already considered arson.

Which comes last in a criminal trial?

Stage Ten - Deliberations and Verdict

The final stage in a federal criminal trial will be jury deliberations and verdict.

What are the five offences?

Although there are many different kinds of crimes, criminal acts can generally be divided into five primary categories: crimes against a person, crimes against property, inchoate crimes, statutory crimes, and financial crimes.

What is the final stage of a trial?

Jury Deliberations & Announcement of the Verdict

In federal criminal trials, the jury must reach a unanimous decision in order to convict the defendant. After they reach an agreement on a verdict, they notify the judge, the lawyers, and the defendant in open court.

What is a phase 1 trial?

A phase I clinical trial tests the safety, side effects, best dose, and timing of a new treatment. It may also test the best way to give a new treatment (for example, by mouth, infusion into a vein, or injection) and how the treatment affects the body.

How many cases actually go to trial?

Very few criminal cases actually go to trial. Statistically, and this is very consistent across the board in both state and federal court, on average only 2 to 3 percent of cases go to trial.