A trial is a formal legal proceeding where legal claims are presented, evidence is examined, and witnesses are heard. It is overseen by a judge, jury, or other adjudicator who determines the guilt or innocence of a party in a criminal case or the outcome of a dispute in a civil case. Trials adhere to established legal procedures and rules of evidence, operating as an adversary proceeding in court.
[Last updated in June of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team]