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TRIALS, SENTENCING, AND APPEALS
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An Anatomy of a Criminal Trial

The many rituals followed in criminal trials have developed over centuries. America's common law heritage makes it possible for all states and the federal government to follow a largely uniform set of trial procedures -- from jury selection to sentencing. Here are explanations of most of the things that will happen at a trial, in order, including jury selection, opening statements, cross-examination, motions to dismiss, and jury instructions.

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sentence

Punishment in a criminal case. A sentence can range from a fine and community service to life imprisonment or death. For most crimes, the sentence is chosen by the trial judge; the jury chooses the sentence only in a capital case, when it must choose between life in prison without parole and death.

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What's the difference between probation and parole?

I live in a housing project with a lot of gangs and crime. Some of my friends say they have to act good -- or go to drug treatment or do community service -- because they're on "probation" or "parole." Can you tell me what these words mean, and whether there's a difference between probation and parole?

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