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Fundamentals of a Jury Trial
- Jury selection
- Prosecutor gives an opening statement to outline the case and evidence to the jury
- Defense may give a similar opening statement, or wait until later in the trial
- Prosecutor calls witnesses, which the defense may cross examine
- Prosecutor rests
- Defense may call witnesses and the prosecutor may cross-examine them
- Defense rests
- Prosecutor may present "rebuttal" witnesses/evidence to challenge evidence presented by the defendant
- Prosecutor rests
- Prosecutor presents a closing argument to the jury
- Defense presents a closing argument to the jury
- Prosecutor may present a rebuttal argument to the jury to respond to the defense closing argument;
- The judge gives the jury detailed legal instructions about the charged crimes, the deliberation process, etc.
- Jury deliberates and returns a verdict
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