A jury trial involves many people, directly or indirectly. The judge, attorneys, parties, witnesses, and jurors are all direct participants in the courtroom proceedings. The judge conducts the trial, rules on questions of law raised by the attorneys, and, at the close of the trial, instructs the jury on the law that applies to the case.
Attorneys represent and advise the parties on the law and all aspects of the trial.
The district attorney is an elected official who is the prosecutor for the state in criminal cases and represents a victim of crime. Witnesses present testimony under oath regarding what they have seen or know about the facts in the case. A witness may testify as an expert based on professional experience. Usually, others indirectly involved provide essential services but are not active trial participants. The court's business manager is the circuit clerk .