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She is awaiting trial on corruption charges. He did not receive a fair trial . the right to trial by jury She was detained without trial. a trial judge/lawyer/court She became a key witness in the trial. They will lose their right to a jury trial . Collocations Criminal justice Criminal justice Breaking the law break/​violate/​obey/​uphold the law be investigated/​arrested/​tried for a crime/​a robbery/​fraud be arrested/ (especially North American English) indicted/​convicted on charges of rape/​fraud/ (especially US English) felony charges be arrested on suspicion of arson/​robbery/​shoplifting be accused of/​be charged with murder/ (especially North American English) homicide/​four counts of fraud face two charges of indecent assault admit your guilt/​liability/​responsibility (for something) deny the allegations/​claims/​charges confess to a crime grant/​be refused/​be released on/​skip/​jump bail The legal process stand/​await/​bring somebody to/​come to/​be on trial take somebody to/​come to/​settle something out of court face/​avoid/​escape prosecution seek/​retain/​have the right to/​be denied access to legal counsel hold/​conduct/​attend/​adjourn a hearing/​trial sit on/​influence/​persuade/​convince the jury sit/​stand/​appear/​be put/​place somebody in the dock plead guilty/​not guilty to a crime be called to/​enter (British English) the witness box take/​put somebody on the stand/ (North American English) the witness stand call/​subpoena/​question/​cross-examine a witness give/​hear the evidence against/​on behalf of somebody raise/​withdraw/​overrule an objection reach a unanimous/​majority verdict return/​deliver/​record a verdict of not guilty/​unlawful killing/​accidental death convict/​acquit the defendant of the crime secure a conviction/​your acquittal lodge/​file an appeal appeal (against)/challenge/​uphold/​overturn a conviction/​verdict Sentencing and punishment pass sentence on somebody carry/​face/​serve a seven-year/​life sentence receive/​be given the death penalty be sentenced to ten years (in prison/​jail) carry/​impose/​pay a fine (of $3 000)/a penalty (of 14 years' imprisonment) be imprisoned/​jailed for drug possession/​fraud/​murder do/​serve time/​ten years be sent to/​put somebody in/​be released from jail/​prison be/​put somebody/​spend X years on death row be granted/​be denied/​break (your) parole Culture juries juries Under the legal system of England and Wales, and also that of Scotland, a person accused of a serious crime who pleads ‘not guilty’ to the crime will be tried by a jury. Juries also hear some civil cases (= when people disagree about their rights) but this is very rare. In the US juries are also used in both criminal and civil cases, though the rules vary from state to state. In Britain jurors (= jury members) are selected at random for each trial from lists of adults who have the right to vote. They must be between the ages of 18 and 70. Anybody called for jury service usually has to attend court for about two weeks, although some cases may go on for much longer. In England and Wales 12 people sit on a jury, in Scotland 15. A larger number of people are asked to attend court and the final jury is selected at random from among them. Lawyers representing either side in a case have the right to object to a particular person being on the jury. After the jury has heard the evidence presented by both sides, it retires to the jury room , a private room, to discuss the case. When all members of the jury agree, they return their verdict (= go back into court and say whether the accused is guilty or not guilty ). In Scotland they can also return a verdict of not proven , which means that the accused has not been proved guilty and they can go free. The verdict is announced by the foreman (= the person chosen by the jury as their leader) . Sometimes the jury cannot all agree and the judge may accept a majority verdict , provided that no more than two members of the jury disagree. If no majority verdict is reached, this is called a hung jury and the trial is abandoned and started again with a different jury. It is not the responsibility of the jury to decide punishment, though in certain civil cases they may decide how much compensation (= money given by one person another to cancel out damage, loss, etc. caused) should be paid. In the US most juries have 12 members, though some have only six. Otherwise the system is very similar to that in England and Wales. When people are called for jury duty they must go, but people who cannot leave their jobs or homes can be excused. Before a trial begins lawyers ask questions to see if jurors will be impartial (= do not have strong opinions that would prevent them making a decision based on the facts) . Lawyers can challenge for cause , if they can give the judge a good reason why somebody should not be a juror. They also have a number of peremptory challenges , which means they can object to somebody without giving a reason. In some trials it can be difficult to find 12 people who are impartial, especially if a case has received a lot of attention in the news. Lawyers sometimes do research to find out what kind of person is most likely to support their side, and use challenges to keep other people off the jury. In a criminal trial the jury decides whether the accused person is guilty or not guilty , but does not decide on a punishment. In a civil trial they may decide how much money should be paid in compensation. If the jury cannot reach a verdict it is declared a mistrial , the trial is abandoned and a retrial is held with a new jury. see also show trial Wordfinder abide by something court crime justice law legal police prosecute punish trial Wordfinder accuse appeal counsel defendant evidence justice offence plea prosecution trial Extra Examples A series of show trials of former senior officials of the ousted regime took place. A trial date has been set for May 10. More than a hundred witnesses gave evidence at the trial. Opposition leaders had been jailed without trial. She faces trial for murder. The judge halted the trial when it emerged witnesses had been threatened. The judge ordered a new trial on the grounds that evidence had been withheld. The letters that were shown during his trial turned out to be forgeries. The rebels were brutally executed after summary trials. The trial collapsed after a key prosecution witness admitted lying. (figurative) The president faces trial by television tonight when he takes part in a live debate. The case never came to trial. He will go to trial on charges of robbery and assault. Parker was committed for trial yesterday at Southwark Crown Court. A trial date will be set for sometime in the spring. Topics Law and justice b2 Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjective fair unfair full … verb + trial come to face go on … trial + verb proceed take place begin … trial + noun attorney court judge … preposition at the trial during the trial on trial … See full entry Want to learn more? Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. a murder/criminal trial on trial He's on trial for murder. She will stand trial/go on trial for fraud. He should have been arrested and put on trial . He was facing trial on a murder charge. The men were arrested but not brought to trial . She is awaiting trial on corruption charges. He did not receive a fair trial . the right to trial by jury She was detained without trial. a trial judge/lawyer/court She became a key witness in the trial. They will lose their right to a jury trial . break/​violate/​obey/​uphold the law be investigated/​arrested/​tried for a crime/​a robbery/​fraud be arrested/ (especially North American English) indicted/​convicted on charges of rape/​fraud/ (especially US English) felony charges be arrested on suspicion of arson/​robbery/​shoplifting be accused of/​be charged with murder/ (especially North American English) homicide/​four counts of fraud face two charges of indecent assault admit your guilt/​liability/​responsibility (for something) deny the allegations/​claims/​charges confess to a crime grant/​be refused/​be released on/​skip/​jump bail stand/​await/​bring somebody to/​come to/​be on trial take somebody to/​come to/​settle something out of court face/​avoid/​escape prosecution seek/​retain/​have the right to/​be denied access to legal counsel hold/​conduct/​attend/​adjourn a hearing/​trial sit on/​influence/​persuade/​convince the jury sit/​stand/​appear/​be put/​place somebody in the dock plead guilty/​not guilty to a crime be called to/​enter (British English) the witness box take/​put somebody on the stand/ (North American English) the witness stand call/​subpoena/​question/​cross-examine a witness give/​hear the evidence against/​on behalf of somebody raise/​withdraw/​overrule an objection reach a unanimous/​majority verdict return/​deliver/​record a verdict of not guilty/​unlawful killing/​accidental death convict/​acquit the defendant of the crime secure a conviction/​your acquittal lodge/​file an appeal appeal (against)/challenge/​uphold/​overturn a conviction/​verdict pass sentence on somebody carry/​face/​serve a seven-year/​life sentence receive/​be given the death penalty be sentenced to ten years (in prison/​jail) carry/​impose/​pay a fine (of $3 000)/a penalty (of 14 years' imprisonment) be imprisoned/​jailed for drug possession/​fraud/​murder do/​serve time/​ten years be sent to/​put somebody in/​be released from jail/​prison be/​put somebody/​spend X years on death row be granted/​be denied/​break (your) parole abide by something A series of show trials of former senior officials of the ousted regime took place. A trial date has been set for May 10. More than a hundred witnesses gave evidence at the trial. Opposition leaders had been jailed without trial. She faces trial for murder. The judge halted the trial when it emerged witnesses had been threatened. The judge ordered a new trial on the grounds that evidence had been withheld. The letters that were shown during his trial turned out to be forgeries. The rebels were brutally executed after summary trials. The trial collapsed after a key prosecution witness admitted lying.

(figurative) The president faces trial by television tonight when he takes part in a live debate. The case never came to trial. He will go to trial on charges of robbery and assault. Parker was committed for trial yesterday at Southwark Crown Court. A trial date will be set for sometime in the spring. during the trial Want to learn more? Find out which words work together and produce more natural sounding English with the Oxford Collocations Dictionary app. [countable, uncountable] the process of testing the ability, quality or performance of somebody/something, especially before you make a final decision about them a field/randomized/controlled trial Australia and the US have conducted joint trials of the drone. She agreed to employ me for a trial period . on trial We had the machine on trial for a week. The system was introduced on a trial basis for one month. a trial separation (= of a couple whose marriage is in difficulties) a trial of strength (= a contest to see who is stronger) see also clinical trial Collocations Scientific research Scientific research Theory formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that… explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis make a prediction/​an inference base a prediction/​your calculations on something investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model Experiment design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test do research/​an experiment/​an analysis make observations/​measurements/​calculations carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis replicate a study/​the results/​the findings observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour fund/​support the research/​project/​study seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research Results collect/​gather/​extract data/​information yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings fit the data/​model confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions read/​review the records/​literature describe/​report an experiment/​a study present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal Extra Examples A new stocktaking system is currently under trial at the supermarket. There's a 30-day free trial of the software available. Human trials of the vaccine could begin within two years. The trial showed a dramatic reduction in side effects. a trial involving hundreds of patients Scientists have reported encouraging results in trials of the new GM rice. Topics Scientific research b2 Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjective clinical experimental field … verb + trial carry out conduct do … trial + verb demonstrate something show something find something … trial + noun period run data … preposition on trial under trial phrases on a trial basis trial by fire trial and error … See full entry a field/randomized/controlled trial Australia and the US have conducted joint trials of the drone. She agreed to employ me for a trial period . on trial We had the machine on trial for a week. The system was introduced on a trial basis for one month. a trial separation (= of a couple whose marriage is in difficulties) a trial of strength (= a contest to see who is stronger) formulate/​advance a theory/​hypothesis build/​construct/​create/​develop a simple/​theoretical/​mathematical model develop/​establish/​provide/​use a theoretical/​conceptual framework advance/​argue/​develop the thesis that… explore an idea/​a concept/​a hypothesis make a prediction/​an inference base a prediction/​your calculations on something investigate/​evaluate/​accept/​challenge/​reject a theory/​hypothesis/​model design an experiment/​a questionnaire/​a study/​a test do research/​an experiment/​an analysis make observations/​measurements/​calculations carry out/​conduct/​perform an experiment/​a test/​a longitudinal study/​observations/​clinical trials run an experiment/​a simulation/​clinical trials repeat an experiment/​a test/​an analysis replicate a study/​the results/​the findings observe/​study/​examine/​investigate/​assess a pattern/​a process/​a behaviour fund/​support the research/​project/​study seek/​provide/​get/​secure funding for research collect/​gather/​extract data/​information yield data/​evidence/​similar findings/​the same results analyse/​examine the data/​soil samples/​a specimen consider/​compare/​interpret the results/​findings fit the data/​model confirm/​support/​verify a prediction/​a hypothesis/​the results/​the findings prove a conjecture/​hypothesis/​theorem draw/​make/​reach the same conclusions read/​review the records/​literature describe/​report an experiment/​a study present/​publish/​summarize the results/​findings present/​publish/​read/​review/​cite a paper in a scientific journal A new stocktaking system is currently under trial at the supermarket. There's a 30-day free trial of the software available. Human trials of the vaccine could begin within two years. The trial showed a dramatic reduction in side effects. a trial involving hundreds of patients Scientists have reported encouraging results in trials of the new GM rice. demonstrate something on a trial basis trial and error [countable, usually plural] ( North American English also tryout ) a competition or series of tests to find the best players for a sports team or an important event Olympic trials see also time trial Extra Examples He had a trial with Chelsea when he was young. As a teenager, he had trials for several top clubs. She just missed selection when she came third in the trials. Gates played his second trial game in midfield. Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjective clinical experimental field … verb + trial carry out conduct do … trial + verb demonstrate something show something find something … trial + noun period run data … preposition on trial under trial phrases on a trial basis trial by fire trial and error … See full entry He had a trial with Chelsea when he was young. As a teenager, he had trials for several top clubs. She just missed selection when she came third in the trials. Gates played his second trial game in midfield. demonstrate something on a trial basis trial and error [countable, usually plural] an event at which animals compete or perform horse trials difficult experience [countable] an experience or a person that causes difficulties for somebody the trials and tribulations of married life trial to somebody She was a sore trial to her family at times. (figurative) My first day at work was a trial by fire . Oxford Collocations Dictionary adjective real preposition trial to phrases trials and tribulations See full entry the trials and tribulations of married life trial to somebody She was a sore trial to her family at times. (figurative) My first day at work was a trial by fire . trials and tribulations the process of solving a problem by trying various methods until you find a method that is successful Children learn to use computer programs by trial and error . Children learn to use computer programs by trial and error . field trial noun show trial noun time trial noun trial balloon noun clinical trial noun the Scopes trial trial and error trial and error trial balloon noun