A California driving under the influence of marijuana trial consists of six phases: jury selection, opening statements, witness testimony and cross-examination, closing arguments, jury instruction and jury deliberations. An individual accused of this offense should immediately contact an experienced California criminal defense lawyer who specializes in driving under the influence of drugs (DUID) cases who will exude competence and skill during the trial (as well as during all other proceedings) at all times.
Jury selection is, perhaps, the most important phase of a DUI trial, as this is where the attorneys make their first impressions on the jurors. The judge (and usually the prosecutor and defense attorney) have the opportunity to question the jurors about their attitudes, beliefs and biases as they relate to driving under the influence and marijuana use in general. After hearing the responses, both attorneys have the right to ask the judge to excuse jurors “for cause,” which means that the juror cannot fairly judge that trial or on a “peremptory” basis, which means that the attorney can ask the judge to excuse the juror for any non-discriminatory reason.
Opening statements are the attorneys’ first opportunity to tell the chosen jury what they expect the evidence to show. This is where the jurors are basically given a “preview” of what is to come. No witnesses, evidence or arguments are permitted during this phase. The prosecutor (who bears the “burden of proof” which, in a criminal trail, is “beyond a reasonable doubt”) gives his or her statement first and then the defense lawyer may either give his or her opening statement, reserve it until the prosecutor has concluded his or her case or may waive it altogether.
Witness testimony and cross-examination comprises the bulk of the trial. Also known as the “case-in-chief,” it is the part of the trial where each side presents their witnesses and evidence, has a chance to cross-examine the other party’s witnesses and has a chance to rebut the other’s evidence. This is where the arresting officer testifies about the defendant’s driving pattern, his or her physical appearance, the field sobriety tests and any chemical test results. Again, because the prosecutor bears the burden, he or she goes first. It should be noted that the defense has no burden in a criminal trial, which means that the defendant does not have to put on a case and may simply choose to rebut evidence that the prosecution presents.
Closing arguments is when the attorneys “argue” their version of the events. The prosecution attempts to show why he or she has met the burden of proving the defendant guilty, and the defense lawyer argues that the prosecutor didn’t meet that burden. He or she then argues all of the defenses that were applicable to the case. This is both attorneys last chance to speak to the jurors before they return their verdict. The prosecutor goes first, followed by the defense and is then given a final opportunity to rebut the defense’s argument.
Jury instruction consists of the judge telling the jurors what laws they must follow when judging the defendant. Before the jurors are instructed, both parties meet with the judge to decide which instructions will apply. Once the instructions are read, the case “goes to the jury”.
Jury deliberations take place when the jury meets, in private, to discuss the evidence and defenses that were presented. This is their first opportunity to discuss the case, as they have been forbidden from doing so up until this point. California D.U.I.D. trials require that the accused must be unanimously found guilty in order to be convicted. If even one juror disagrees with that verdict, the judge declares a “mistrial” and may either order the case to be re-tried (typically unlikely in a misdemeanor DUI) or may dismiss it entirely.
The outstanding California DUID attorneys at The Kavinoky Law Firm know the most effective ways to prevail during trial. To learn more, contact them today for a free consultation.