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Defendants have a constitutional right to a public trial.
Opening statements come first. The prosecutor addresses the jury first, explaining the nature of the case and what he or she intends to prove happened. Then the defense attorney may offer an opening statement, or may reserve opening statement until after the prosecution has rested its case. Next the prosecution puts on its case in chief, which usually involves direct testimony by witnesses and the introduction of any physical evidence against the defendant, such as a gun or other implements of the alleged crime. Defense attorneys may cross-examine the prosecution witnesses by asking questions designed to negate the guilt of their client.