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ALERT! In observance of the holiday: County of Berks offices and buildings will close to the public from 12 PM, December 24, 2024, through December 25, 2024 (reopening 8 AM, December 26, 2024) and 12 PM, December 31, 2024, through January 1, 2025 (reopening 8 AM, January 2, 2025).

Please note – 24/7 operations at the county courthouse and services center will remain operational.

Trial Sequence

Trial Sequence

The following stages of a trial usually occur in jury cases:

  1. Selection of a jury and juror's oath
  2. The opening statement of the lawyers
  3. The plaintiff or the Commonwealth calls witnesses and produces evidence to prove his or her case
  4. The defendant may call witnesses and produce evidence to disprove the plaintiff's case and to prove the defendant's claims
  5. Arguments are made by the lawyers on each side
  6. The Judge will instruct the jury as to the law of the case. Jurors must follow these instructions of law given to them by the Judge in each particular case
  7. The jury then retires to the jury deliberation room to arrive at a verdict