Jurors are essential in legal proceedings. If you’re selected to serve, your first time in court can be a bit confusing. During the trial, you’ll likely see the same set of faces, including the court stenographer, judge, and defense attorney. Here’s a quick overview of court proceedings for first-time jurors, so you know what to expect.

Who Will Be in the Room?

There will be many people inside the courtroom. Apart from you and fellow jurors, the judge, attorneys, defendants, witnesses, and a court stenographer will be present from start to finish. Spectators may occasionally attend and watch the proceedings from the gallery; however, they aren’t allowed to participate.

What Will Happen?

Before proceedings commence, the judge and attorneys will ask every juror about their capacity to come to a fair verdict. This process is called voir dire, and it’s to weigh a juror’s ability and not their worth.

Once the trial begins, the attorneys will argue the merits of the case, presenting evidence and calling forth witnesses. During cross-examination, they may even call on the court stenographer to recite previously made statements. As a juror, you have to listen to the arguments, observe witnesses, and be discriminating to arrive at a fair verdict.

How Is an Outcome Decided?

After the attorneys have finished presenting their cases, you and the jury will be led to a private room. This is where you’ll deliberate on the evidence and discuss testimonies to come to a verdict. You can ask to inspect physical pieces of evidence or request the record from the court stenographer to recall conversations. The decision can be unanimous or hung, which means not every juror agrees. After reaching a decision, you’ll return to the courtroom where you’ll relay the verdict to the judge to pass sentencing.

Court stenographers play a vital role in legal proceedings. Ralph Rosenberg-Court Reporters in Honolulu, HI, is the largest reporting firm in the state. Their team is highly trained and produces accurate court records for jurors, attorneys, and judges. To get more information about their services, visit the website or call (808) 524-2090.