Trial is often portrayed as the dramatic conclusion of a legal battle—the moment when the truth is revealed, justice is served, and one side walks away vindicated. But for those unfamiliar with the courtroom, it’s easy to underestimate how structured, strategic, and high-stakes a trial really is. This post breaks down the key phases of a trial and illustrates each with famous cases to give you a vivid sense of what really goes on once a case reaches the courtroom.