Court Trial

A court trial is a legal proceeding where the facts of a case are presented and a decision is made by either a judge or a jury. There are two main types of court trials:

• Bench trial (court trial): The judge alone hears the evidence, decides the facts, and applies the law to reach a verdict. This occurs when the defendant waives the right to a jury trial, and the judge acts as both the trier of fact and law.
• Jury trial: A jury of peers listens to the evidence and determines the facts, while the judge oversees the trial and issues the sentence if the defendant is found guilty.

In a court trial, the process involves presenting evidence and testimony from both sides, after which the judge or jury makes a final decision about the defendant's guilt or innocence. The right to a jury trial is protected under the Sixth Amendment in the U.S., but defendants may choose a bench trial under certain conditions.

In summary, a court trial is the formal examination of facts and law in a court of law, culminating in a judgment by a judge or jury based on the evidence presented.