Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers | July 14, 2026 | Criminal Defense
If you’ve been charged with a crime, understanding what to expect during the criminal trial process can help reduce uncertainty and prepare you for what’s ahead. While every case is different, most criminal trials follow a similar sequence of events.
Below is an overview of the major steps in a criminal trial in Ohio.
Arraignment
The arraignment is typically the defendant’s first appearance before the court after criminal charges have been filed. During this hearing, the judge informs the defendant of the charges against them and explains their legal rights.
The defendant will also enter a plea: guilty, not guilty, or no contest. If a not-guilty plea is entered, the case proceeds through the criminal justice system.
Pretrial Hearings and Motions
Before a trial begins, the court may hold several pretrial hearings. During this stage, both sides exchange evidence, discuss procedural matters, and file motions asking the court to decide certain legal issues.
Common pretrial motions may include requests to suppress evidence, dismiss charges, or exclude certain testimony. In many cases, plea negotiations also occur during this phase, and some cases are resolved before reaching trial.
Jury Selection
If the case will be decided by a jury, the next step is jury selection, also known as voir dire. During this process, the judge and attorneys question potential jurors to determine whether they can be fair and impartial.
Attorneys may ask the court to remove jurors who demonstrate bias or use a limited number of peremptory challenges to excuse certain individuals. Once the jury is selected, the trial officially begins.
Opening Statements
Opening statements allow each side to introduce its case to the jury. The prosecutor typically goes first, outlining the evidence they expect to present and explaining why they believe the defendant is guilty.
The defense may then present its own opening statement, providing an overview of the case from the defendant’s perspective and highlighting weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence. Opening statements are not evidence—they simply provide a roadmap for the trial.
Presentation of the Prosecution’s Case
Because the prosecution has the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, it presents its case first. The prosecutor may introduce physical evidence, documents, surveillance footage, expert testimony, and witness testimony.
After each witness testifies, the defense has the opportunity to cross-examine them and challenge the credibility of their testimony or the reliability of the evidence presented.
Presentation of the Defense’s Case
After the prosecution rests its case, the defense has an opportunity to present evidence if it chooses to do so. This may include witness testimony, expert opinions, documents, or other evidence supporting the defendant’s position.
Importantly, a defendant is not required to testify or present any evidence. The burden of proof remains with the prosecution throughout the trial, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Closing Arguments
Once both sides have presented their evidence, the attorneys deliver closing arguments. Unlike opening statements, closing arguments allow each side to explain how the evidence supports its position.
The prosecutor argues that the evidence proves the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while the defense highlights inconsistencies, credibility issues, or reasonable doubt that may justify an acquittal.
Jury Deliberations
After the closing arguments, the judge instructs the jury on the applicable law. The jurors then retire to deliberate privately.
During deliberations, jurors review the evidence, discuss the testimony presented during trial, and work toward reaching a unanimous verdict in most criminal cases. Deliberations may last several hours or continue for multiple days, depending on the complexity of the case.
Verdict
Once deliberations are complete, the jury returns to the courtroom to announce its verdict. If the jury finds the defendant not guilty, the case ends, and the defendant is acquitted of the charges. If the jury finds the defendant guilty, the case moves to the sentencing phase.
In some situations, the jury may be unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a hung jury and potentially a new trial.
Sentencing
If a defendant is convicted or pleads guilty, the court will impose a sentence. Depending on the offense, sentencing may occur immediately after the verdict or at a later hearing. A sentence may include jail or prison time, probation, fines, restitution, community service, or other penalties authorized by law.
The judge typically considers factors such as the seriousness of the offense, the defendant’s criminal history, and any aggravating or mitigating circumstances before determining an appropriate sentence.
Contact Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers To Schedule a Free Consultation With a Westlake Criminal Defense Attorney
Although every criminal case has its own facts and challenges, the trial process generally follows the same series of steps. Knowing what happens at each stage—from jury selection to the verdict and sentencing—can help you better understand how criminal cases are resolved.
If you have been charged with a crime in Ohio, contact Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers today to schedule a free consultation with a Westlake criminal defense lawyer.
We have five convenient locations in Ohio: Sandusky, Port Clinton, Vermilion, Norwalk, and Huron.
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Sandusky
502 W Washington St,
Sandusky, OH 44870
(419) 625-7770
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Port Clinton
132 Madison St,
Port Clinton, OH 43452
(419) 871-3995
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Vermilion
1513 State Rd,
Vermilion, OH 44089
(440) 967-6136
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Norwalk
13 Whittlesey Ave,
Norwalk, OH 44857
(419) 863-5922
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Huron
202 Cleveland Rd W unit 1
Huron, OH 44839
(419) 827-5884
Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers – Westlake
24610 Detroit Rd Suite 230,
Westlake, OH 44145
(419) 502-5821