We often think of a fair trial in terms of having an impartial judge and jury, effective assistance of counsel, the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses, and the ability to cross-examine the adversary’s witnesses and present rebuttal evidence. However, trials are much more complicated than the general expectations.
Fair trials don’t just happen. Judges and attorneys exercise great care to ensure fairness in trials. In civil cases, attorneys engage in what we call the discovery process to gather evidence relevant to each individual case. Behind the scenes attorneys file pre-trial motions that judges must rule on before a trial.
