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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Trial & Verdict

Trial

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈtraɪəl/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, trial means: The formal process in court in which evidence is presented and a judge or jury decides whether the defendant is guilty of the charges.

In Turkish: yargılama, duruşma, dava

How it is used

A defendant 'goes on trial', 'stands trial' or is 'awaiting trial'; a trial 'opens', 'is adjourned' or 'ends'. 'Trial' is the whole process; a 'hearing' is usually one session or a shorter procedure. People also speak of the right to 'a fair trial'.

Example sentences

  1. The trial is expected to last three weeks.

  2. Four men will stand trial for the robbery in March.

  3. He spent eight months in custody awaiting trial.

Common collocations

  • stand trial
  • go on trial
  • awaiting trial
  • fair trial
  • trial date
  • verdictThe decision at the end of a trial on whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty, especially the decision of a jury.
  • juryA group of ordinary citizens, usually twelve in serious criminal cases, who listen to the evidence at a trial and decide whether the defendant is guilty.
  • defendantThe person who has been charged with a crime and is being tried in court; in a civil case, the person who is being sued.
  • evidenceInformation, objects, documents or testimony that a court can use to decide whether something is true, for example whether the defendant committed the crime.
  • testifyTo make a formal statement in court about what you know or saw, usually after promising to tell the truth.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Trial & Verdict

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.