What is the process of a trial by jury in criminal cases?
A trial by jury in criminal cases in Kansas is a constitutional right that has been established by the United States Constitution. In a jury trial, a jury of twelve people is randomly chosen by a court clerk to hear each case and decide the outcome. At the beginning of the trial, the jury members are selected and sworn into duty. They are expected to remain impartial throughout the trial and can be dismissed if they are found to be prejudiced. Once the jury is in place, the prosecutor and defense attorney will select and swear in their witnesses and begin their opening statements. The prosecutor will make their case by introducing evidence and witnesses, and calling on the defense lawyer to cross-examine them. The jury then listens to the closing arguments from both the prosecutor and defense attorney. Depending on the case, the jury may be given instructions on how to interpret the evidence and what verdict to reach. The jury then meets in private to decide the verdict. They reach a decision and announce the verdict in open court. Once a verdict is reached, the jury is dismissed and the court deliberates on the implications of the verdict. The trial is then officially concluded. The jury system of a trial allows the accused to be tried by their peers rather than by a single judge, and this system is an important part of the criminal justice system in Kansas.
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