9.12: Steps in a Jury Trial
- Page ID
- 48422
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Steps in a Jury Trial
In order to preserve all the rights discussed above, the following steps in a jury trial are followed.
Voir Dire
If the trial is to be a jury trial the very first step is jury selection or “voir dire.”
Opening Statements
Next the prosecution presents their opening statements to the jury about the basic charges and facts as well as how they will proceed during the trial. It was determined that the prosecution should go first since they represent the people. Next the defense attorney will present their opening statements, basic facts and discussion of how they will proceed showing their point of view.
Prosecutorial Evidence
Now it is time for the prosecutor to present their evidence whether that is testimonial evidence from witnesses, real or physical evidence or other types of evidence such as circumstantial or indirect. It will be up to the judge to determine the admissibility of evidence based on whether or not they feel the material is relevant in helping determine the issues of the case. After each piece of evidence is presented by the prosecution the defense attorney can choose to cross-examine or not.
Directed Verdict
Once the prosecution is done presenting all of their evidence, the defense may call for a directed verdict. With a directed verdict the jury is asked to go make their decision before even hearing the defense side of the case. This step is typically only used if the defense is pretty certain that the prosecution did not really even have a case. If the jury decides on a verdict of guilty the trial continues if however the jury can decide not guilty then there is no need to continue the trial. Because of the risk of the jury coming back with a guilty verdict and needing to change their minds this step is usually skipped.
Defense Evidence
It is now time for the defense attorney to present their evidence. Again after each piece of evidence is introduced the prosecutor can choose to cross-examine.
Closing Statements
Then it is time for closing statements to the jury. The defense will go first with their closing arguments and the prosecutor typically goes last with their closing statements or summation.
Instructions to the Jury
Now the judge will provide instructions to the jury on any rules of law, evidence that should be considered, and a reminder about the standard of proof which is “guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Jury Deliberations
The jury will deliberate and vote. Sometimes the decision will come quickly and at other times it can take days. Once the jury has reached their decision they will return to the courtroom and pronounce the verdict. The verdict may be one of guilt in which case the judge will typically set a date for sentencing and ask for a presentence investigation (PSI) about the defendant in order to determine what an appropriate sentence would be. The verdict may be not guilty in which case the charges are nullified and the defendant is free to leave. Sometimes the jury may not be able to reach a decision in which case it is considered a hung jury. If the jury cannot reach a decision the prosecution can choose to retry the case or not.