The plaintiff's attorney in a civil case or the prosecutor in a criminal case proceeds first. The attorney analyzes the evidence and attempts to convince the jury to decide in favor of his or her side of the case. The defense attorney follows with his or her argument, attempting to do the same. Finally, the plaintiff's attorney or prosecutor has the opportunity to present a rebuttal to the defense attorney's argument. The judge instructs the jury on the law they must apply in the particular case.
Jurors then retire from the courtroom to deliberate in secret.
When the jurors reach a verdict, the jury foreman who is elected by fellow jurors informs the deputy sheriff that a decision has been reached. The jury returns to the courtroom and the verdict is read aloud to the parties.