- fair trial
- A legal trial; a trial conducted in all material things in substantial conformity to law. People v Wolf, 183 NY 464, 472, 76 NE 592, 594. In a criminal case, a trial before an impartial judge, an honest jury, and in an atmosphere of judicial calm. 21 Am J2d Crim L § 235. A trial, not only with observance of the naked forms of law, but in a recognition and just appreciation of its principles. Sunderland v United States (CAS Neb) 19 F2d 202. A trial according to law, not necessarily free from all error, but from substantial error. State v Schimsky, 243 Minn 533, 69 NW2d 89; People v Becker, 210 NY 274, 311, 104 NE 396, 409. The right of one charged with the commission of a crime to a fair trial does not embrace the right to be tried by any particular judge or jury, but is enough if the jury is impartial and the judge one whose neutrality is indifferent to every factor in the trial but that of administering justice. State ex rel. Brown v Dewell, 131 Fla 566, 179 So 695, 115 ALR 857. See fair and impartial trial.
Ballentine's law dictionary. Anderson, W.S.. 1998.