public trial
Courtroom spectators allowed
A public trial is a legal proceeding open to observation by members of the public and press, as opposed to one conducted behind closed doors.
The right to a public trial is a fundamental protection in many legal systems, guarding against secret proceedings and ensuring judicial accountability: The defendant waived his right to a public trial.
- juryLegal decision-making body
- jury boxCourtroom seating for peers
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- judgeOne who decides
- benchShared seating surface
witness stand · court of law · open court · Sixth Amendment · due process · cross-examination · defense attorney · right to counsel · constitutional rights · gallery · First Amendment · presumption of innocence · media coverage · transparency · Bill of Rights · day in court · evidence · legal proceedings
- criminal justicearrest, jail, court, prison, crime
- rightscivil liberties, constitutional rights, right, rights, human rights
- trialsretrial, mistrial, dry run, practice test, pilot test
- Ancient Greek lawSolon, Solonian reforms, ostracism, lawgiver, legal codes
- ancient justiceordeal, Sanhedrin, Mosaic law, Twelve Tables, magistrate
- criminal courtstrials, courtroom, verdicts, defendants, accused
public trialsecret trial
Non-public legal proceeding
star chamber · behind closed doors · closed session · executive session
public trialstar chamber
Secretive, oppressive tribunal
kangaroo court · show trial · military tribunal · disappearance · arbitrary detention
public triallynching
Extrajudicial killing by mob
summary execution · vigilante justice · mob justice · lynch mob · backroom deal