Types of Trials

Legal matters are most often disputed in a formal court setting as part of a trial. Trials almost always include the oversight of a judge. When the trial is held solely before a judge it is called a bench trial. Another type of trial is a jury trial. This is when members of the community make up a deciding body that is addressed by the parties involved in the dispute.

Because there is such a range of disputes, there are a variety of trial types specifically formed to address certain disagreements, crimes, and actions. One common type of trial is the civil trial, which usually consists of a personal dispute between two parties being settled in court. This includes lawsuits and divorce trials.

A criminal trial is designed to address the case against a person accused of committing a crime. This is the most popularly thought of trial example. American law, for the most part, reserves individuals’ right to be tried by a jury of their peers rather than only a judge in criminal cases.

Along with the right to trial by jury, the accused also has the right to a public trial. This right is not absolute and a request can be overridden by the motion of closure. This is usually only done when a public trial could cause harm to the parties involved or could release important, confidential information to the public.

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If you have been accused of a crime and would like more information on the legal process or securing the defense you need, contact the Boca Raton criminal defense lawyers of Eric N. Klein & Associates, P.A. today at 561-353-2800.