Introduction to the Criminal Trial

Introduction tothe Criminal Trial

Jury Selection • Opening STATEMENTS • Presentation of the Prosecution Case • Presentation of the Defense Case • Closing ARGUMENTS • Jury Instructions • Jury Deliberation • Verdict • Sentencing Phase (if Defendant found guilty) • Judgment and Sentence The 10 Parts of a Criminal Trial

Find out about the jury • Challenges for cause • Peremptory challenges • Trying to find jurors to dismiss 1) Jury Selection

Prosecution goes first • Defense goes second • My Cousin Vinny 2) Opening STATEMENTS

Evidence is presented through witness testimony and documents • PROSECUTION’S direct examination • DEFENSE’S cross-examination 3) Presentation ofProsecution Case

The Defendant has a right NOT to put on a case! • DEFENSE’S direct examination • PROSECUTION’S cross-examination 4) Presentation ofDefense Case

NOT like opening statements • ARGUES the facts that came out during the case • Prosecution goes first, defense goes second • Prosecution has an opportunity for “rebuttal” 5) Closing ARGUMENT

Prosecution and Defense propose instructions for the jury • Judge reads the instructions to the jury • The jury instructions guide the next part… 6) Jury Instructions

Deliberations are guided by the jury instructions 7) Jury Deliberations

Guilty = JURY MUST BE UNANIMOUS • Not Guilty = JURY MUST BE UNANIMOUS • “Hung Jury” = non-unanimous 8) Verdict on Guilt

Both sides present evidence • Prosecution presents evidence about why the Defendant should receive a certain sentence • Defense presents evidence about why s/he should receive a lesser sentence • Defendant can take the stand but s/he’s not under oath 9) Sentencing Phase

Judgment of guilty • The sentence… 10) Judgment and Sentence

Introduction to the Criminal Trial