The Trial Follows a Consistent Pattern
Every trial is set up in the same way. Both teams review the pre-trial matters with the judge, and ask the judge for common privileges, such as having water at the tables and being allowed to use the well (the space between the attorney's tables and the judge) while examining witnesses and delivering openings and closings.
The prosecution begins by delivering their opening statement, to set the stage for their argument. The defense then delivers their opening statement to do the same.
Then prosecution begins with their direct examinations. There is no set order for which witness should go first, so the team should decide beforehand the ideal order of witnesses. While the prosecution is examining their witnesses, the defense can object to questions and answers that don't conform to the rules of the court. Typically, the attorney who objects to a certain direct examination will be the attorney that gives the cross examination of that witness.
After the first witness has been directly examined, one of the defense attorney can cross examine that witness. While the cross examination is taking place, that witnesses attorney can object to the opposing attorney's questions and answers. After the cross examination, the attorney who gave the direct examination has a chance to give a re-direct, where they can try to reiterate or rebuild the argument made on direct. Likewise, after re-direct there is a chance for the defense to re-cross the witness. Re-direct and re-cross are optional, and not always used.
This process continues until all prosecution witnesses have been both examined by both direct and cross. Then the defense can begin their direct examinations, and the prosecution has the chance to cross examine the defense witnesses.
Finally, after all the witnesses have been thoroughly examined, both sides have two minutes to prepare their closing arguments. The prosecution delivers their closing argument first, then the defense delivers theirs. If the prosecution has remaining time, they can have up to two minutes for a rebuttal, which is a unique opportunity to refute the defense's closing argument at the end of the trial. At the end of the defense's cross examination, or at the end of the rebuttal if the prosecution decides to do so, the trial is over.
The prosecution begins by delivering their opening statement, to set the stage for their argument. The defense then delivers their opening statement to do the same.
Then prosecution begins with their direct examinations. There is no set order for which witness should go first, so the team should decide beforehand the ideal order of witnesses. While the prosecution is examining their witnesses, the defense can object to questions and answers that don't conform to the rules of the court. Typically, the attorney who objects to a certain direct examination will be the attorney that gives the cross examination of that witness.
After the first witness has been directly examined, one of the defense attorney can cross examine that witness. While the cross examination is taking place, that witnesses attorney can object to the opposing attorney's questions and answers. After the cross examination, the attorney who gave the direct examination has a chance to give a re-direct, where they can try to reiterate or rebuild the argument made on direct. Likewise, after re-direct there is a chance for the defense to re-cross the witness. Re-direct and re-cross are optional, and not always used.
This process continues until all prosecution witnesses have been both examined by both direct and cross. Then the defense can begin their direct examinations, and the prosecution has the chance to cross examine the defense witnesses.
Finally, after all the witnesses have been thoroughly examined, both sides have two minutes to prepare their closing arguments. The prosecution delivers their closing argument first, then the defense delivers theirs. If the prosecution has remaining time, they can have up to two minutes for a rebuttal, which is a unique opportunity to refute the defense's closing argument at the end of the trial. At the end of the defense's cross examination, or at the end of the rebuttal if the prosecution decides to do so, the trial is over.