Lesson 2: Presenting the Evidence

Section 3 - The Trial

Lesson 2 - Presenting the Evidence

The Trial Process

The accused has been arrested and charged with an indictable offence. The preliminary hearing has taken place, and the judge has determined that there is a solid enough case against the accused to proceed to a trial in higher court - the Court of Queen's Bench.   The accused has opted for trial by judge and jury. The jury has been empanelled; all the challenges have been made, and both the Crown and the defence are satisfied with the jurors. Now the trial is about to begin.

Though someone unfamiliar with our criminal-justice processes might find the procedures of a trial rather confusing the fact is that there are strict rules at work and a definite order in which things happen.
Read through the chart below, and refer to it later whenever you need clarification of trial procedures.

Steps to a Trial: