Trial
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Plain-English Meaning
The formal court proceeding where evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The prosecution must prove every element of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.
Legal Context
In New York, defendants charged with offenses punishable by more than 6 months have a right to a jury trial. Defendants may waive a jury and opt for a bench trial (decided by the judge alone). Trials proceed through: jury selection (voir dire), opening statements, prosecution's case-in-chief, defense case, closing arguments, jury instructions, deliberations, and verdict. The defendant has no obligation to testify or present any evidence.
Real-Life Example
After refusing the prosecution's plea offer, Damon exercised his right to a jury trial. Over four days, the jury heard testimony from witnesses and saw surveillance video. After deliberating, the jury returned a not-guilty verdict — they found the evidence did not prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Related Terms
Source
General criminal procedure term. Original B-Legal plain-language explanation.
Definitions are simplified for education. Legal meanings vary by jurisdiction, context, and case facts. This definition is original B-Legal content and is not affiliated with or derived from any proprietary legal dictionary.