stand trial
Appear before court
To stand trial is to appear in court as a defendant and undergo formal legal proceedings.
The phrase implies being held accountable for alleged crimes: He will stand trial for murder.
Someone who is mentally unfit or who flees jurisdiction may avoid standing trial.
The expression emphasizes the ordeal of facing judgment—you stand before the court.
Charge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- pleaFormal request or defense
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
- cross-examinationOpposing party questions witness
subpoena · discovery · deposition · deliberation · adjudication · docket · voir dire · opening statement
Claim someone did wrong
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- felonySerious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
offense · count · criminal · civil · complaint · information · grand jury · arraignment
Charged with wrongdoing
- defendantParty facing charges
- alibiDefense of location
- counselExpert guidance offered
- attorneyLicensed legal representative
lawyer · public defender · plea · innocent · not guilty · acquittal · exoneration · reasonable doubt
Party facing charges
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- witnessOne who attests
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
evidence · verdict · gavel · bench · bailiff · court reporter · dock · gallery
Government's trial lawyer
- district attorneyCounty's chief prosecuting officer
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- stateCondition or mode
- chargeCost or accusation
evidence · burden of proof · conviction · guilty · sentencing · barrister · solicitor · crown prosecutor
Fair treatment under law
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- verdictOfficial court decision
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
- culpabilityDeserving blame for wrongdoing
reckoning · consequences · punishment · penalty · retribution · restitution · parole · probation
arraignment
Charge-reading court session
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- pleaFormal request or defense
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
cross-examination · subpoena · discovery · deposition · deliberation · adjudication · docket · voir dire · opening statement · closing argument
accusation
Claim someone did wrong
- indictmentFormal charge from jury
- felonySerious criminal offense
- misdemeanorLesser criminal charge
allegation · offense · count · criminal · civil · complaint · information · grand jury · arraignment · booking
accused
Charged with wrongdoing
attorney · lawyer · public defender · plea · innocent · not guilty · acquittal · exoneration · reasonable doubt · case
defendant
Party facing charges
testimony · evidence · verdict · gavel · bench · bailiff · court reporter · dock · gallery · prosecution
prosecutor
Government's trial lawyer
- district attorneyCounty's chief prosecuting officer
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- stateCondition or mode
charge · evidence · burden of proof · conviction · guilty · sentencing · barrister · solicitor · crown prosecutor · complainant
justice
Fair treatment under law
- judgmentReasoned decision-making capacity
- verdictOfficial court decision
- sentenceComplete thought, grammatically
culpability · reckoning · consequences · punishment · penalty · retribution · restitution · parole · probation · incarceration
stand trialplea bargain
Negotiated criminal case resolution
cop a plea · settle · arbitrate · confess · mediate
stand trialjump bail
Flee while awaiting trial
abscond · get off · walk free · go into hiding · beat the rap
stand, standing, trial, understand, understanding, understood, stood, stands, withstand