A trial is primarily a formal legal proceeding where parties involved in a dispute present evidence and arguments before a judge, jury, or other adjudicator to resolve the dispute or determine guilt or innocence in criminal cases
. During a trial, evidence is examined, witnesses are heard, and legal claims are presented according to established legal procedures and rules of evidence
. Trials can be held before a judge alone (bench trial) or before a jury (jury trial)
. Besides its legal meaning, the term "trial" also refers to a test or experiment conducted over a limited period to evaluate the effectiveness or suitability of something, such as a product or treatment
. For example, clinical trials test new medical treatments before they are widely used
. In summary, a trial can mean:
- A formal court process to decide legal disputes or criminal charges
- A test or experiment to assess something's performance or effectiveness
The legal trial involves presenting evidence and witness testimony to a fact- finder (judge or jury) who then makes a decision based on the law and facts presented
. The judge ensures the trial is fair and rules on what evidence is admissible
