Hearing vs. Trial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 19, 2023
A hearing is a preliminary or specialized legal proceeding, while a trial is a formal examination of evidence and determination of legal claims in a court.
Difference Between Hearing and Trial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Both hearing and trial are legal proceedings, but they serve distinct purposes. A hearing is an opportunity for parties to present certain aspects of a case, often preliminary matters, to a judge. These can include bail considerations, evidentiary issues, or pre-trial motions.
A trial, however, represents a more extensive and formal process. It involves presenting evidence, witness testimonies, and arguments to a judge or jury. The primary objective of a trial is to determine the guilt or innocence in criminal cases or liability in civil cases.
While hearings can be swift and might not involve a comprehensive review of the case, trials are generally lengthier, ensuring all facets of the case are thoroughly examined. During a hearing, the emphasis is often on specific issues or procedural matters rather than the case's entirety.
Trials, being more exhaustive, can be bench trials, where the judge makes the decision, or jury trials, where a selected group of individuals determines the outcome. The gravity and formality of a trial distinguish it from the more targeted nature of a hearing.
In summary, while both hearings and trials are integral to the judicial system, a hearing addresses particular elements or issues, while a trial aims to resolve the case's primary dispute.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Preliminary or specific
Formal and comprehensive
Focus
Addresses particular issues
Determines guilt, innocence, or liability
Duration
Generally shorter
Typically longer
Participants
Often just a judge
Can involve a judge and/or jury
Outcome
Can lead to decisions on specific matters
Leads to a final verdict or judgment
Compare with Definitions
Hearing
A preliminary step in the legal process.
The hearing will determine if there's enough evidence for a trial.
Trial
A formal legal proceeding to determine guilt or liability.
The trial lasted for three weeks.
Hearing
An opportunity for parties to present their case or concerns.
The public hearing allowed residents to share their views on the project.
Trial
A process to resolve disputes or accusations.
The civil trial resulted in damages awarded to the plaintiff.
Hearing
A legal proceeding before a judge addressing specific issues.
The bail hearing is scheduled for Monday.
Trial
In law, a trial is a coming together of parties to a dispute, to present information (in the form of evidence) in a tribunal, a formal setting with the authority to adjudicate claims or disputes. One form of tribunal is a court.
Hearing
A judicial examination of specific issues or disputes.
The hearing on the motion to dismiss took place in the magistrate's court.
Trial
A formal examination of evidence by a judge, typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings
The editor was summoned to stand trial for libel
The newspaper accounts of the trial
Hearing
Hearing, or auditory perception, is the ability to perceive sounds by detecting vibrations, changes in the pressure of the surrounding medium through time, through an organ such as the ear. The academic field concerned with hearing is auditory science.
Trial
A test of the performance, qualities, or suitability of someone or something
Clinical trials must establish whether the new hip replacements are working
Hearing
The sense by which sound is perceived; the capacity to hear.
Trial
A person, experience, or situation that tests a person's endurance or forbearance
The trials and tribulations of married life
Hearing
Range of audibility; earshot.
Trial
Test (something, especially a new product) to assess its suitability or performance
Teachers all over the UK are trialling the materials
Hearing
An opportunity to be heard.
Trial
(of a horse, dog, or other animal) compete in trials
The pup trialled on Saturday
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.
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.
Hearing
A session, as of an investigatory committee or a grand jury, at which testimony is taken from witnesses.
Trial
An instance of such a proceeding
The trial of Socrates.
Hearing
Able to hear
A deaf child born to hearing parents.
Trial
The act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof
A trial of one's faith.
Hearing
Able to hear, as opposed to deaf.
Trial
An instance of such testing, especially as part of a series of tests or experiments
A clinical trial of a drug.
Hearing
(uncountable) The sense used to perceive sound.
My hearing isn't what it used to be, but I still heard that noise.
Trial
An effort or attempt
Succeeded on the third trial.
Hearing
(countable) The act by which something is heard.
Trial
A state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief
"the fiery trial through which we pass" (Abraham Lincoln).
Hearing
(uncountable) A proceeding at which discussions are heard.
There will be a public hearing to discuss the new traffic light.
Trial
A trying, troublesome, or annoying person or thing
The child was a trial to his parents.
Hearing
A legal procedure done before a judge, without a jury, as with an evidentiary hearing.
Trial
A preliminary competition or test to determine qualifications, as in a sport.
Hearing
A scolding.
Trial
Of, relating to, or used in a trial.
Hearing
Present participle of hear
Trial
Attempted or advanced on a provisional or experimental basis
A married couple on a trial separation.
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.
Trial
Made or done in the course of a trial or test.
Hearing
Attention to what is delivered; opportunity to be heard; audience; as, I could not obtain a hearing.
Trial
An opportunity to test something out; a test.
They will perform the trials for the new equipment next week.
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.
Trial
Appearance at judicial court in order to be examined.
Hearing
Extent within which sound may be heard; sound; earshot.
They laid him by the pleasant shore,And in the hearing of the wave.
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.
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
Trial
A tryout to pick members of a team.
Soccer trials
Hearing
An opportunity to state your case and be heard;
They condemned him without a hearing
He saw that he had lost his audience
Trial
(ceramics) A piece of ware used to test the heat of a kiln.
Hearing
The range within which a voice can be heard;
The children were told to stay within earshot
Trial
(UK) An internal examination set by Eton College.
Hearing
The act of hearing attentively;
You can learn a lot by just listening
They make good music--you should give them a hearing
Trial
Pertaining to a trial or test.
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
Trial
Attempted on a provisional or experimental basis.
Hearing
The ability to hear; the auditory faculty;
His hearing was impaired
Trial
Characterized by having three (usually equivalent) components.
Hearing
Able to perceive sound
Trial
Triple.
Hearing
A session to gather information or arguments on particular matters.
The legislative committee held a hearing on the new bill.
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.
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.
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.
Trial
The act of trying or testing in any manner.
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.
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.
Trial
The act of testing by experience; proof; test.
Repeated trials of the issues and events of actions.
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.
Trial
Examination by a test; experiment, as in chemistry, metallurgy, etc.
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.
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
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
Trial
(sports) a preliminary competition to determine qualifications;
The trials for the semifinals began yesterday
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
Trial
Trying something to find out about it;
A sample for ten days free trial
A trial of progesterone failed to relieve the pain
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
Trial
The act of undergoing testing;
He survived the great test of battle
Candidates must compete in a trial of skill
Trial
An examination of evidence and testimonies in a court.
The accused pleaded not guilty, prompting a trial.
Trial
A judicial event where cases are argued and decided.
The murder trial attracted significant media attention.
Trial
The final stage in the legal process for a particular case.
After several hearings, the case proceeded to trial.
Common Curiosities
Can a hearing determine guilt?
Typically, no. Hearings address specific issues, while trials determine guilt or liability.
Are juries present in hearings?
Usually, no. Juries are more common in trials.
Are hearings public?
Generally, yes, but some hearings may be closed for specific reasons.
How long does a trial last?
Trials can vary in length, from a day to several months, depending on complexity.
Can you appeal the outcome of a trial?
Yes, parties can often appeal a trial's decision to a higher court.
What happens after a preliminary hearing?
Based on the evidence, the case might proceed to trial or be dismissed.
Are witnesses cross-examined during a trial?
Yes, both sides can cross-examine witnesses during a trial.
Do all trials involve crimes?
No, trials can be criminal (addressing crimes) or civil (addressing disputes between parties).
Can a case have multiple hearings?
Yes, several hearings might address various matters in a single case.
Are all cases given a trial?
No, many cases are resolved or dismissed before reaching a trial.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
