What does the appeals process follow in a trial?

The appeals process primarily comes into play after the trial has concluded, specifically following the jury's deliberations and the rendering of a verdict. At this point, if one party believes that a legal error occurred during the trial that affected the outcome, they may initiate an appeal. The appeal does not involve a new trial or jury; instead, it focuses on the record of the prior proceedings to determine if there were any significant legal missteps that warrant a review or reversal of the decision.

In contrast, jury selection, opening statements, and closing statements all occur during the trial itself before the jury reaches a verdict. Each of these steps is essential to the presentation of the case but does not pertain to the appeals process, which is a separate judicial procedure intended to address complaints about how the trial was conducted.