Hearing vs. Trial: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on November 12, 2023
"Hearing" is a legal proceeding for testimony and evidence, "Trial" is court examination of evidence and legal arguments. Distinct stages in legal processes.
Key Differences
"Hearing" refers to a legal session where preliminary matters are addressed, whereas a "Trial" is where evidence is fully examined and a judgment rendered. Each represents different stages in the judicial system.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
A "Hearing" might be less formal, often addressing administrative or procedural matters, while a "Trial" is a formal proceeding, determining guilt or liability. Both are crucial to the legal process but serve different functions.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
"Hearings" can occur for various reasons in the legal process, and "Trials" are specifically for deciding the ultimate outcome of a case. Each has its place and importance in the course of justice.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
During a "Hearing," testimonies or preliminary evidence are presented, but in a "Trial," both sides present their full case for a judgment. They're both integral to the legal system, ensuring fairness and justice.
Janet White
Nov 12, 2023
Misunderstanding the terms "Hearing" and "Trial" can lead to confusion about the legal process, as "Hearings" address specific issues, whereas "Trials" resolve the primary dispute in a case.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 12, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Preliminary or administrative court session
Formal examination of evidence in court
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Evidence
Limited, specific to the hearing's purpose
Comprehensive, presented by both sides
Sara Rehman
Nov 12, 2023
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Hearing and Trial Definitions
Hearing
An administrative procedure conducted by a judge or governmental agency.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the new zoning laws.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Trial
The act of trying, testing, or putting to the proof.
Her abilities were put to the trial in the new project.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 21, 2023
Hearing
An opportunity to be heard or to present one's side of a case.
The defendant requested a hearing to plead his case.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Trial
A judicial examination, in accordance with law, of a cause.
The criminal trial was postponed due to new evidence.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Hearing
A proceeding where evidence is taken to determine an issue of fact and to reach a decision based on that evidence.
The judge ordered a hearing to assess the new evidence.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
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Trial
An affliction or trouble; a state of suffering.
The loss of his job was a major trial for the family.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Hearing
A preliminary examination in criminal procedure.
The suspect's hearing is scheduled for next Wednesday.
Harlon Moss
Oct 21, 2023
Trial
A proceeding in which opposing parties in a dispute present evidence and make arguments on the application of the law before a judge or jury
The case is expected to go to trial.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof
A trial of one's faith.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments
A clinical trial of a drug.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A legal proceeding in which evidence is taken and arguments are given as the basis for a decision to be issued, either on some preliminary matter or on the merits of the case.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A session, as of an investigatory committee or a grand jury, at which testimony is taken from witnesses.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief
"the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing
The child was a trial to his parents.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
(uncountable) The sense used to perceive sound.
My hearing isn't what it used to be, but I still heard that noise.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis
A married couple on a trial separation.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
(uncountable) A proceeding at which discussions are heard.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the new traffic light.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A legal procedure done before a judge, without a jury, as with an evidentiary hearing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
An opportunity to test something out; a test.
They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
A difficult or annoying experience, such an experience seen as a test of faith and piety
That boy was a trial to his parents.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
The act or power of perceiving sound; perception of sound; the faculty or sense by which sound is perceived; as, my hearing is good.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
Attention to what is delivered; opportunity to be heard; audience; as, I could not obtain a hearing.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A listening to facts and evidence, for the sake of adjudication; a session of a court for considering proofs and determining issues.
His last offenses to usShall have judicious hearing.
Another hearing before some other court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
Extent within which sound may be heard; sound; earshot.
They laid him by the pleasant shore,And in the hearing of the wave.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
(law) a proceeding (usually by a court) where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
An opportunity to state your case and be heard;
They condemned him without a hearing
He saw that he had lost his audience
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
The range within which a voice can be heard;
The children were told to stay within earshot
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
The act of hearing attentively;
You can learn a lot by just listening
They make good music--you should give them a hearing
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
(grammar) Pertaining to a language form referring to three of something, like people; contrast singular, dual and plural. (See Ambai language for an example.)
No language has a trial number unless it has a dual.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A session (of a committee or grand jury) in which witnesses are called and testimony is taken;
The investigative committee will hold hearings in Chicago
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
To carry out a series of tests on (a new product, procedure etc.) before marketing or implementing it.
The warning system was extensively trialed before being fitted to all our vehicles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
To try out (a new player) in a sports team.
The team trialled a new young goalkeeper in Saturday's match, with mixed results.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Hearing
A session in which testimony and arguments are presented, especially before an official.
During the hearing, witnesses presented their accounts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
Trial
Any effort or exertion of strength for the purpose of ascertaining what can be done or effected.
[I] defy thee to the trial of mortal fight.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The state of being tried or tempted; exposure to suffering that tests strength, patience, faith, or the like; affliction or temptation that exercises and proves the graces or virtues of men.
Others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The act of testing by experience; proof; test.
Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
That which tries or afflicts; that which harasses; that which tries the character or principles; that which tempts to evil; as, his child's conduct was a sore trial.
Every station is exposed to some trials.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The formal examination of the matter in issue in a cause before a competent tribunal; the mode of determining a question of fact in a court of law; the examination, in legal form, of the facts in issue in a cause pending before a competent tribunal, for the purpose of determining such issue.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
(law) legal proceedings consisting of the judicial examination of issues by a competent tribunal;
Most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The act of testing something;
In the experimental trials the amount of carbon was measured separately
He called each flip of the coin a new trial
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications;
The trials for the semifinals began yesterday
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
(law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law;
He had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
Trying something to find out about it;
A sample for ten days free trial
A trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
An annoying or frustrating or catastrophic event;
His mother-in-law's visits were a great trial for him
Life is full of tribulations
A visitation of the plague
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
The act of undergoing testing;
He survived the great test of battle
Candidates must compete in a trial of skill
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Trial
A formal examination of evidence in court.
The trial concluded with a guilty verdict.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Trial
The process of testing the effectiveness of something new.
The clinical trial was a success.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
FAQs
Can a "hearing" result in a final decision?
Generally, it addresses specific issues, not the final case outcome.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Is a "hearing" public?
They can be, but some may be closed to the public for various reasons.
Sara Rehman
Nov 12, 2023
Are witnesses present during a "hearing"?
Sometimes, if their testimony is relevant to the matter at hand.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Are "hearing" and "trial" interchangeable?
No, they serve different purposes in the legal process.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Can a "trial" occur without a "hearing"?
Typically, hearings occur before a trial to address preliminary matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Who makes the final decision in a "trial"?
A judge or a jury, depending on the case.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
What's the goal of a "trial"?
To determine the truth and make a judgment based on the evidence.
Harlon Moss
Nov 12, 2023
Is a lawyer needed for a "hearing"?
It's often advised, depending on the hearing's nature.
Janet White
Nov 12, 2023
What's a pre-trial "hearing"?
A session before the main trial, often to decide on procedural matters.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Can "hearings" affect the outcome of a "trial"?
They can influence procedural aspects that may impact the trial.
Sara Rehman
Nov 12, 2023
What happens during a "trial"?
Evidence is presented, witnesses testify, and a judgment is made.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Can "trials" be appealed?
Yes, typically the judgment can be appealed in a higher court.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Do "hearings" involve cross-examinations?
They can, though usually not as extensively as in trials.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
What types of "hearings" are there?
Various, including administrative, legislative, and judicial hearings.
Janet White
Nov 12, 2023
Can you present evidence during a "hearing"?
Yes, but usually only specific to the hearing's purpose.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Can the public attend "trials"?
Most trials are public, but some may be private for various reasons.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 12, 2023
Is new evidence allowed in "hearings"?
It depends on the hearing's purpose and the judge's discretion.
Sara Rehman
Nov 12, 2023
Are juries involved in "hearings"?
Generally, no. Juries are typically part of trials.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 12, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
