AAERT Certified Electronic Reporter (CER) Practice Test

Which events typically occur first in a trial?

1. Jury Selection, Opening Statements

2. Plaintiff Calls Witnesses, Closing Statements

3. Defendant Calls Witnesses, Jury Charge

4. Jury Charge, Jury Deliberation

The correct answer is: Jury Selection, Opening Statements

The sequence of events in a trial generally begins with jury selection, followed by opening statements. Jury selection is an essential part of the trial process where the attorneys question potential jurors to ensure an impartial jury is formed. This step lays the groundwork for the trial by allowing the legal teams to gauge the jurors' biases and backgrounds, which can affect their judgment on the case at hand. After the jury has been selected, the trial officially starts with the opening statements. During this phase, both the plaintiff and the defendant present their respective cases to the jury, outlining the evidence and the arguments they plan to present throughout the trial. This step is crucial as it sets the stage for the case and informs the jury about the key points they should pay attention to. In contrast, other events listed, such as calling witnesses or jury deliberation, occur at different points in the trial process, typically after opening statements and throughout the evidence presentation phase. Understanding the correct order of events is important for anyone involved in the legal field, as it ensures proper protocol is followed and that all parties are prepared for each stage of the trial process.