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Trial Process
Five Main Steps of a Jury Trial
Michigan juries have been providing outstanding service and have set a high standard. The state of Michigan and your trial judge thanks you and all jurors for giving generously of your time and taking the jury's duty seriously.
The following five steps outline the trial process from jury selection to verdict:
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Step 1: Selection of a Jury
When a jury trial is about to begin, the trial court judge requests a panel of prospective jurors to be sent to the courtroom from the jury assembly room so that the jury selection process can begin.
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Step 2: The Trial
Learn about trial aspects such as juror duties, opening and closing statements, and presentation of evidence.
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Step 3: Judge's Instructions on the Law
Either before or after the closing arguments by the lawyers, the judge will explain the law that applies to the case to you. This is the judge's instruction to the jury.
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Step 4: Deliberations by the Jury
After closing statements by the attorneys and the judge's instructions on the law, the bailiff or court attendant will take you to the jury room for deliberations.
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Step 5: The Verdict
In your efforts to reach a verdict, keep in mind that you should consider only the evidence that was presented in the courtroom.