A Step-by-Step Criminal Jury Trial to Understand the Law Treats Its Cases - Essay Example

There are various steps in a criminal jury trial. First, it begins with the selection of a jury. In this case, the defense determines whether the case fits either a jury or a judge. However, under some jurisdictions, both the defense and the prosecution may demand the right to a jury trial.

On that aspect, juries always comprise 12 people, especially in felony cases. However, some states permit a limited number of 6 people on juries when dealing with minor cases. It is also imperative to identify if there is a juror who harbors any individual interest either through bias or prejudice (Burns, 2006). Next are the opening statements. This is whereby an outline of proof is presented by each side to the jury as the trial proceeds. However, it is critical to note that opening statements are not the same as evidence but the expectations of the parties the evidence is supposed to prove.

After that, the trial moves to the presentation of testimony of witnesses or the presentation of evidence. It is essential to observe here that the constitutional trial rights of each party are paramount under the guiding jurisdiction of the law. The first case to be presented is the prosecution or plaintiffs. On that account, during the testimony of the witness, a direct examination is conducted by the side that summoned the witness. This is followed by a cross-examination by the side that did not call the witness.

It I here where there is the presentation of physical evidence such as weapons or documents among others for identification (Burnett, 2003). Next is the closing arguments whereby there is a summary of the entire evidence by the sitting attorneys. Alternatively, the attorneys also attempt to make persuasion in favor of their client to the jury. It is during this step that the attorneys strongly invoke the constitutional trial rights of their clients and may open or close the arguments.