- fair trial
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fair trial n: a trial that is conducted fairly, justly, and with procedural regularity by an impartial judge and in which the defendant is afforded his or her rights under the U.S. Constitution or the appropriate state constitution or other law◇ Among the factors used to determine whether a defendant received a fair trial are these: the effectiveness of the assistance of counsel, the opportunity to present evidence and witnesses, the opportunity to rebut the opposition's evidence and cross-examine the opposition's witnesses, the presence of an impartial jury, and the judge's freedom from bias.
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.
- fair trial
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a human right (human rights) or constitutional right to a trial that provides certain practical protections for the citizen. Notable examples are under the US Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. Core concepts involve an impartial judge, effective (and sometimes free) legal representation, a lack of undue delay and freedom from self-incrimination.
Collins dictionary of law. W. J. Stewart. 2001.
- fair trial
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n. A trial by a neutral and fair court, conducted so as to accord each party the due process rights required by applicable law; of a criminal trial, that the defendant's constitutional rights have been respected.
Webster's New World Law Dictionary. Susan Ellis Wild. 2000.
