What is a jury trial?

A jury trial is a type of court proceeding that involves presenting evidence in front of a jury, and ultimately having the jury decide the outcome of the case. In Massachusetts, jury trials are held in front of a judge and a jury, which is composed of 12 members of the general public who have been randomly selected for jury duty. Before the trial begins, the judge and the attorneys for both the prosecution and the defense will present their cases to the jury. The attorneys will present a variety of evidence to support their arguments, which may include witness testimony, expert testimony, video evidence, and more. The jury then uses this evidence to come to a decision as to whether the accused is guilty or not guilty. The jury must come to a unanimous decision before the defendant can be officially charged, or before the trial can conclude. If the jury is unable to reach a unanimous decision, the trial is declared a mistrial, and the court will revisit the case at a later date. In Massachusetts, jury trials are quite common as part of the justice system, and they can often be a lengthy and complicated process. However, they are essential to making sure that justice is served and the accused are given fair and impartial hearings.

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