Legal Definitions - try

In a legal context, to try a case means to formally examine the facts, evidence, and arguments presented by parties in a court of law. The purpose is to resolve a dispute or determine guilt or liability through a structured judicial process, typically culminating in a judgment or verdict.

• Criminal Prosecution: When a prosecutor brings charges against an individual for alleged embezzlement, the court will try the case. This involves hearing testimony from witnesses, reviewing financial documents and other evidence, and listening to arguments from both the prosecution and the defense to determine if the accused is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

  Explanation: Here, "try" refers to the entire judicial process where the court meticulously examines all presented information to resolve the dispute of whether a crime was committed and by whom.

• Contractual Dispute: Two businesses disagree over the terms of a software development contract, leading one to sue the other for breach of contract. A judge or jury will try the civil case by reviewing the contract documents, hearing expert testimony on software development standards, and assessing financial damages to decide which party is legally responsible and what remedies are appropriate.

  Explanation: In this scenario, "try" signifies the court's role in thoroughly investigating the contractual disagreement and applying legal principles to arrive at a binding resolution between the parties.

• Personal Injury Claim: After a slip-and-fall incident at a retail store, an injured customer sues the store for negligence, seeking compensation for medical bills and lost income. The court will try the personal injury claim by examining incident reports, medical records, security footage, and witness statements, ultimately deciding if the store was negligent and what damages are owed to the customer.

  Explanation: This illustrates "try" as the court's comprehensive examination of all relevant facts and legal arguments to determine liability and appropriate compensation in a civil personal injury matter.