Trial

A formal court proceeding in which parties present evidence and arguments to a judge or jury for a decision on disputed issues.

Opening statement: A lawyer’s initial outline of the case and the evidence expected at trial. It frames each party’s account before witnesses and exhibits are presented.
Judge: A public official who presides over legal proceedings and applies the law. The judge manages courtroom procedure and decides legal questions during trial.
Bench trial: A trial in which a judge, rather than a jury, decides the facts and outcome. It is the trial format used when no jury determines the disputed facts.
Sentencing: The process by which a court imposes a penalty on a person convicted of a crime. A criminal conviction at trial can lead to sentencing.
Direct examination: Questioning a witness by the lawyer who called that witness. It introduces testimony supporting a party’s claims or defenses.
Jury: A group of citizens selected to decide factual questions in a legal proceeding. In jury trials, jurors evaluate evidence and reach the verdict.
Jury trial: A trial in which a jury decides factual questions under a judge’s instructions. It contrasts with a bench trial by assigning fact-finding to jurors.
Acquittal: A formal finding that a criminal defendant is not guilty of the charged offense. It is one possible outcome when the prosecution fails to prove guilt.
Cross-examination: Questioning a witness by an opposing party to test the testimony. It probes reliability, accuracy, and possible bias in trial evidence.
Witness: A person who gives testimony about information relevant to a legal proceeding. Witness testimony supplies evidence that parties can examine and challenge.

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