This document summarizes the roles and procedures involved in the American criminal trial system. It describes the main professional actors in the courtroom work group, including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and others. It explains their duties and selection processes. It also outlines the stages of a criminal trial from jury selection to presentation of evidence and the roles of witnesses, victims, defendants, and jurors. Key concepts covered include rules of evidence, direct vs. circumstantial evidence, and the adversarial trial structure.