Trial Process and Jury Trials
The trial process is how a criminal case is decided in court, from choosing a jury to presenting evidence and reaching a verdict. The Constitution protects the right to a public trial by an impartial jury in criminal cases. Judges, juries, prosecutors, and defense attorneys each have set roles.
People usually ask how jurors are selected, what makes a jury impartial, what happens at each stage of a trial, when a judge can end a case early, and how jury trials compare with other ways of resolving disputes.
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All Articles on Trial Process and Jury Trials
Forced Arbitration vs. Jury Trials: How Fine Print Affects Your Right to Sue
The American legal system is built on the right to your day in court. This principle, based in the Constitution, evokes images of citizens…
What Makes a Jury Impartial: The Constitutional Promise and Modern Reality
The Sixth Amendment promises Americans the right to trial "by an impartial jury." But what does "impartial" actually mean? The answer has evolved dramatically…
Sua Sponte vs. Party-Requested Rulings: When Judges Act on Their Own vs. When Parties Ask
Sua sponte rulings begin with the judge. Federal rules and Supreme Court decisions explain when courts may act alone and when parties must be heard.
Summary Judgment vs. Directed Verdict: How Courts Skip the Full Trial
Not every lawsuit needs a dramatic courtroom scene with a jury deliberating for hours. The U.S. legal system includes powerful tools that allow judges…