How a US criminal jury trial works
Process map by Brian. 13 steps, 1 layer. Tags: law, courts, civics.
- Prosecutor: Charges are filed
- Defense lawyer: Pretrial motions and plea talks
- Defense lawyer: Does the defendant take a plea deal?
- Judge and court: Judge accepts the plea and sentences
- Judge and court: Jury is picked from a pool of local citizens
- Prosecutor: Opening statements and evidence
- Defense lawyer: Cross-examines and presents a defense
- Judge and court: Judge instructs the jury on the law
- The jury: Deliberates in private
- The jury: Do all twelve agree beyond a reasonable doubt?
- Judge and court: Judge sets a sentence
- Defense lawyer: May appeal to a higher court
- Judge and court: The defendant is free to go