Criminal trial attorneys are ready and available to provide quality representation for you at your trial. The outcome can be drastically different if you have an experienced criminal defense attorney who knows how to present the evidence, cross examine witnesses and experts and effectively argue your case. The old saying of "you get what you pay for" is typically true where it relates to criminal defense. LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified criminal defense lawyers are pre-screened and pre-qualified. They are well respected by their peers and are in good standing with their state bar associations. Contact a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified criminal law lawyer, as listed on this site, to represent you at your trial.

The Trial Process

In the United States, defendants have a constitutional right to a jury trial. However, they may forego this right in favor of a trial by a judge (bench trial). If a jury trial is chosen the jury selection process is part of the trial. Both the defendant and the prosecution have the right to challenge potential jurors "for cause," meaning that they’re unable to be objective in hearing testimony and deciding the case. Both the defense and prosecution also have the right to a certain number of "peremptory challenges," (removing a juror without giving any reasons) depending upon the nature of the charges and the court in which the case is being tried.

At the trial, the prosecutor presents evidence in the form of witness testimony, documentary evidence and demonstrative evidence. Documentary evidence includes documents, such as books, deeds, wills, letters and the like. Demonstrative evidence includes all kinds of exhibits, such as photographs of the victim in the case of a homicide, or the gun used in committing a robbery.

Under the Constitutional Bill of Rights, the defendant has the right to present witnesses and other evidence in defense of criminal charges. The defendant also has the right to "confront" or cross-examine the witnesses brought forward by the prosecution. The judge "charges" the jury by giving the jurors instruction on the law once the prosecutor finishes submitting the evidence. Both the prosecutor and the criminal defense attorney then sum up their arguments to the jury (closing arguments), based on the facts presented and the applicable law. The order in which these presentations happen varies from court to court.

If the court finds that the prosecutor failed to present any evidence to support any of the elements of the offense, or didn’t present enough evidence to support a verdict of guilty, the court can enter a verdict of not guilty without submitting the case to the jury for deliberation. However, in most cases the case is submitted to the jury for deliberation.

Should I hire a Criminal Trial Attorney?

If you have been accused of a crime, you should hire a skilled and experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as possible to protect your legal rights and fight for your exoneration. Contact a LawInfo Lead Counsel qualified criminal law lawyer today!

Frequently Asked Questions

• What Is A Bench Trial?
  A bench trial is a trial before a judge in which the necessary parties have waived the right to a jury trial.  In a bench trial, the judge determines all questions of law and decides the … more
• What Is A Jury Trial?
  In a jury trial, the jurors, typically 12 in a criminal case, decide any disputed issues of fact.  The judge determines all questions of fact.  The jurors are selected by a process called … more

Free Legal Forms

• Order to Attend Court or Provide Documents: Subpoena/Subpoena Duces Tecum
  This form orders you to appear in court and produce necessary documents. (CR-125/JV-525)
• Certificate of Identity Theft: Judicial Finding of Factual Innocence
  This form is used by the court to notify the petitioner on the court's findings on whether it feels the petitioner is factually innocent of the … more
• Petition for Certificate of Identity Theft
  Use this form to request that the court give you a certificate of identity theft if an identity thief was cited in your name or you have been the … more