What is the process of a trial by jury in criminal cases?

In Washington, a criminal trial by jury is a process that involves several steps. First, the selection of a jury is done via a pool of citizens (called the “venire”), who are chosen at random to serve on the jury. They must meet certain requirements and pass a series of questions to ensure they are qualified and unbiased for the trial. Once the jury is chosen, the trial begins. In this stage, both the prosecution and the defense present their evidence, call witnesses to testify, and question each other. The job of the jury is to evaluate the veracity of the evidence presented, and to decide if the defendant is guilty or innocent. The jury then has to reach a decision, which is called a verdict. This is done in the form of a majority vote, with the majority of the jurors deciding on the verdict. If the jury finds the defendant guilty, the court then passes sentence. Finally, the sentenced defendant has the right to appeal the verdict. This is done through a process called post-trial review. The defendant can present new evidence or testimony, or argue why the original verdict was wrong. If the court grants the appeal, they can change the verdict or reduce the sentence. Overall, a trial by jury in criminal cases involves many steps, from jury selection to post-trial review. It is an important legal process that allows justice to be served in an unbiased manner.

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What is the process of a trial by jury in criminal cases?

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