Colorado POST Practice Exam

Which phase occurs first during a courtroom trial process?

1. Defendant's case

2. Jury selection

3. Closing statement

4. State's case

The correct answer is: Jury selection

Jury selection is the first phase that occurs during a courtroom trial process because it establishes the jury that will hear the case. The process involves selecting individuals from the community who will serve as jurors, ensuring they can impartially evaluate the evidence and deliver a verdict. This phase is critical as it sets the stage for the trial and addresses any potential biases among jurors, which is essential for a fair trial. Following jury selection, the courtroom process will proceed through the presentation of evidence, where both the state (or prosecution) and the defense have the opportunity to present their cases. The state's case typically occurs after jury selection, where the prosecution presents evidence and witnesses first. The closing statement is among the last phases of the trial, occurring after all evidence has been presented and is meant to summarize the case and persuade the jury before deliberation. Therefore, the correct sequence of these phases establishes the importance of jury selection as the foundational step in a trial.