A trial in court refers to the legal process where the facts of a case are presented to a judge and/or jury, and a decision is made regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendant. It is a structured process where evidence and testimony are admitted under the rules of evidence established by applicable procedural law, and determinations called findings of fact are made based on the evidence. The judge, presided over by one or more judges, makes findings of law based upon the applicable law. In a jury trial, the jury acts as the trier of fact, while in a court trial, or a bench trial, the judge alone decides the facts of the case and applies the law.
The trial court is the court where trials take place, and it has original jurisdiction. Appeals from the decisions of trial courts are usually made by higher courts with the power of appellate review. Trial courts are any courts that hear a case first, referred to as courts of original jurisdiction. They make both findings of fact and law through a full trial expounding the evidence of the case. The findings of law may be appealed to a higher court that has the power of review.
In summary, a trial in court is a fundamental part of the legal process where evidence is presented, and a decision is made regarding the guilt or innocence of the defendant, either by a judge or a jury, depending on the type of trial.
