What happens when a criminal court trial has finished?

• When the trial finishes the judge, magistrate or jury must consider the evidence and try to reach a verdict.
• If the verdict is “not guilty” the defendant has been acquitted and is usually free to leave the court.
• If the verdict is ‘guilty’ the judge, magistrate or jury have found that the prosecution case has been proven ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ and the defendant has been convicted.
• If a jury is sitting and a majority of the jurors cannot agree on a verdict the trial will be aborted and there may have to be a re-trial before a new jury.
• Any decision as to whether a re-trial will take place is made by the Director of Public Prosecutions.