This may or may not be a stupid question, but I'm very interested in knowing, and I'm not entirely sure how I'd search for this sort of thing.

Simply put, what is the structure of a standard judicial trial? And yes, I'm interested in any and all similarities and differences of this answer -- modern, past and ancient trials, American and other cultures' trials, criminal and civil trials... I really want to know Trial Process 101. It'd help me immensely in potentially finishing an interactive story that's been collecting dust for way longer than it should...

Thanks for any and all help you guys can give, as always

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

'Jury trial' is a good place to start.

How reliable is the wikipedia?

Whatever the case, I'll still be looking into it. Just wish to know how valid the information there is.

Errr... Well I'm yet to notice it being wrong, if that's what you mean.