The criminal courts
The trial
The verdict
What is the “verdict”?
The verdict is the decision that is made at the end of the trial about whether you are guilty or not guilty.
Who decides what the verdict will be?
If the trial is before a judge alone, it is up to the judge to make this decision. At the end of the trial, the judge may give their decision in court immediately (called an “oral decision”), may simply state the verdict (guilty or not guilty) with written reasons to be provided later, or they may reserve their decision. If a decision is reserved that means that both the verdict and reasons will be given in writing at a later date.
If there is a jury, the judge will advise the jury about the law that must be applied to the case, and the jury must decide whether you are guilty or not guilty. The jury is sent into a private room, where it will discuss the case and try to reach a verdict. When jurors are not able to reach a unanimous verdict and certain other conditions are met, the court can accept a majority verdict from the jury – this is where the decision is agreed to by 11 out of 12 members of the jury.
What happens if I am found guilty?
If you are found guilty, you will be sentenced by the judge for committing the crime (see: “Sentencing”).
What happens if I am found not guilty?
If you are found not guilty, the charge will be dismissed and you will be free to go.
