What happens after a criminal trial is complete?

Once a criminal trial has been completed in Hawaii, the defendant will be either convicted or acquitted of the crime in question. If the defendant is found guilty, they will then face the repercussions of their conviction, such as a prison sentence, fines, court-ordered rehabilitation programs, or community service. If the defendant is acquitted, the case will be closed and the defendant will be deemed innocent. Conviction or acquittal is not the only outcome of a criminal trial. The court may also issue a verdict of "not guilty by reason of insanity", commonly referred to as an NGRI verdict. In this case, the court deems that the defendant did commit the crime, but that they were not responsible for their actions due to mental illness or other disorders. In this instance, the court may order the defendant to receive mental health services instead of punishment. The court may also issue a directed verdict, which occurs when the jury is unable to reach a unanimous verdict. In this case, the defendant is either acquitted or found guilty, depending on the direction of the judge. Finally, the court may issue a mistrial. This occurs when it is determined that there has been an error in the proceedings that has impacted the trial. This can include an incorrect ruling by the judge, evidence that was wrongly admitted, or an issue with the jury. When this happens, the trial is declared null and void, and the case must begin anew.

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What happens after a criminal trial is complete?

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