posttrial

Posttrial is a legal term describing the phase that follows the completion of a trial in both criminal and civil proceedings. It covers the entry of judgment, sentencing in criminal cases, and a suite of post-trial procedures intended to challenge, alter, or enforce trial outcomes.

In many jurisdictions, posttrial activities begin with the judgment or verdict and may include post-trial motions such as a motion for a new trial or a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict for criminal or civil cases. For civil matters, courts may grant remittitur or additur, overturn verdicts, or order new trials if errors affected the result. In criminal cases, posttrial processes often include sentencing, the possibility of the defendant's post-conviction relief, and the management of restitution and fines.

Appeals commonly occur after a trial, and although appealing is not always categorized as posttrial, it is closely linked as a mechanism to review trial correctness. Enforcing judgments, collecting damages, or securing interest on sums awarded are also part of the posttrial stage.

The standards for granting posttrial relief vary by jurisdiction but typically require showing prejudice or error that affected the trial's outcome. The term is used primarily in legal texts and case law and can be understood as the continuum of procedures from verdict to final resolution, including any appeals, modifications, and enforcement actions.