What is the difference between a trial and a hearing?
A trial and a hearing are two very different parts of the legal process that take place when someone is charged with a crime in Massachusetts. At a hearing, a judge will hear evidence presented by the prosecuting attorney and the defense attorney. Generally, the hearing will not involve witnesses or jurors and the judge will make a decision based on the evidence presented to him or her. The type of hearing a person receives will depend on the type of charge they are facing. Hearings can be used to decide matters of defendant will appear in court when required.">bail, arraignments, motions, and child support. A trial is a more formal process than a hearing. During a trial, the judge will hear both sides of the argument and then a jury will decide on the verdict. A trial also includes both witnesses and evidence that is presented to the jury to make their decision. This process is usually more detailed than a hearing and allows the jury to consider more details before making a final decision. If an individual decides to plead guilty at the start of the trial, then the jury does not have to make a final decision and the trial is not necessary. However, if an individual decides to plead not guilty, then a trial is necessary in order to determine the outcome of the case. In this case, the judge and jury play the largest role in deciding the outcome of the case. Ultimately, the difference between a trial and a hearing lies in the type of decision being made and who is making the decision. During a hearing, the judge determines the outcome based on the evidence presented to him or her. During a trial, a jury makes the decision based on evidence presented to them by the judge.
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