ATTENDANCE:
Trials can last days or weeks and the client must plan on attending the entire time.

JURY SELECTION:
6 jurors who will try the case are selected from a jury pool. Some jurors will be excused by the Judge for various reasons. Some jurors will be excused by the lawyers using peremptory challenges because they have a concern about the juror being fair. Once a panel of jurors is selected and sworn in the trial begins.

OPENING STATEMENT:
Plaintiff’s lawyer (first) and defense lawyer(s) (second) give opening statements and tell the jurors what they intend to prove.

PLAINTIFF’S CASE:
Plaintiff, fact witnesses and expert witnesses testify before the jury, physical evidence is admitted and the plaintiff rests their case.

DEFENDANT’S CASE:
The defense puts on their witnesses and admits their physical evidence and the defendant rests their case.

SUMMATIONS:
Defendant’s lawyer (first) and plaintiff’s lawyer (last) discuss the evidence, what has (or has not) been proven and how the jury should go about deciding the case.

JURY CHARGES:
The Judge reads model jury charges to the jury which instruct the jury on the legal principles that they must apply to facts and evidence they consider in deciding the case.

JURY VERDICT:
The jury is sent to the jury room to deliberate and render a verdict. At least 5 out of 6 jurors must agree before the jury can return a verdict.