Sequence of a Trial

  • Selection of a Jury
  • Opening Statements
    • Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case)
    • Defendant's attorney
  • Testimony of Witnesses and Presentation of Evidence
      • Plaintiff's attorney or prosecuting/Commonwealth attorney for a criminal case
      • Direct examination of plaintiff's witnesses by plaintiff's attorney
      • Cross-examination of plaintiff's witnesses by defendant's attorney
      • Redirect examination of plaintiff's witnesses by plaintiff's attorney
      • Defendant's attorney
      • Direct examination of defendant's witnesses by defendant's attorney
      • Cross-examination of defendant's witnesses by plaintiff's attorney
      • Redirect examination of defendant's witnesses by defendant's attorney
  • Selection and preparation of jury instructions
  • Jury Instructions presented to the jury
  • Closing arguments
    • Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case)
    • Defendant's attorney
    • Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney) to close the case
  • Jury Deliberations
  • Verdict of Jury