Attorney Mark Nicholson and Attorney Audrey Lunsford discuss the trial process. What Are the Steps for a Criminal Jury Trial? If you are charged with a crime and have a jury trial, you might wonder what the steps are. The process starts when the prosecution and defense teams present their cases. The court clerk will call groups of prospective jurors for voir dire. The judge will also ask each potential juror to answer questions that will help them decide if they are impartial. A judge will explain the legal standard based on the charges and evidence. Once a jury has been selected, they will be instructed by the judge to decide the case.
The parties give opening statements, direct examination and cross-examination of witnesses, then closing arguments. After the closing arguments, the judge will give the jury instructions. These instructions will describe the issues at stake in the case, the positions of the parties, and the applicable laws. The judge will also explain the standard of proof for the case again, which may be beyond a reasonable doubt in a criminal case or a preponderance of the evidence in a civil case. The jury will then decide based on the presented facts.
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