{"id":352256,"date":"2023-08-22T09:25:55","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T14:25:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-trial-overview.html"},"modified":"2023-08-22T09:25:55","modified_gmt":"2023-08-22T14:25:55","slug":"criminal-trial-overview","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-trial-overview.html","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Trial Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Criminal Trial Overview<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

In a criminal trial, the government attempts to show that a person is guilty of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. But the trial also gives the accused person a chance to defend themselves. <\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

A complete criminal trial typically has six main phases, including:<\/p>\n