{"id":352257,"date":"2023-12-11T15:22:29","date_gmt":"2023-12-11T20:22:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-trial.html"},"modified":"2023-12-11T15:22:29","modified_gmt":"2023-12-11T20:22:29","slug":"criminal-trial","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/criminal-trial.html","title":{"rendered":"Defendants’ Rights in Criminal Trial"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Defendants' Rights in Criminal Trial<\/h1>\n
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\n By Sarah Williams, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\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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The trial is a focal point of the criminal process. It is when the judge or jury decides whether to convict the defendant of committing the crime. Both the prosecutor and the defense argue their case in trial.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

The road to a criminal trial begins after a defendant is formally charged with a crime. The case proceeds to the pretrial phase and ends with a criminal trial unless the defendant pleads guilty.<\/p>\n

Anyone involved in criminal proceedings should know their constitutional protections, including their right to due process<\/a>. During a trial, you can rely on a criminal defense attorney<\/a> to make sure the court respects these rights. <\/p>\n

Below, you’ll find an overview of three common protections provided in the U.S. Constitution, including:<\/p>\n