2.17 Defendant's Previous Trial is an element of the criminal justice system which is used to determine the outcome of a criminal case. It is the process in which an alleged offender is brought to trial, with a prosecution team and a defense team presenting evidence to a jury or judge to determine the guilt or innocence of the defendant. This process includes the selection of a jury, the opening statements, the examination of witnesses, the presentation of evidence, and the closing statements. Depending on the jurisdiction, there may also be a sentencing phase which follows the verdict. Types of 2.17 Defendant's Previous Trial include jury trials, bench trials, and plea bargains.