Legal Definitions - brought to trial

brought to trial

The act of starting a trial by swearing in the first witness, not by impanelling the jury or beginning opening statements.

1. The defendant was brought to trial after months of investigation and preparation by the prosecution.

2. The judge ordered the case to be brought to trial despite the defense's request for a delay.

When a case is brought to trial, it means that the legal proceedings have officially begun. This is usually marked by the swearing in of the first witness, who will provide testimony and evidence to support the prosecution's case. The examples illustrate how a case can be brought to trial after a period of investigation and preparation, and how the judge has the authority to order a trial to begin even if the defense requests a delay.