main hearing
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main hearing
The central part of a court proceeding, in which evidence is presented, witnesses are questioned, and closing arguments are made before a verdict is reached.
Die Hauptverhandlung in diesem Fall wird voraussichtlich mehrere Tage dauern.
The main hearing in this case is expected to last several days.
The word is composed of 'Haupt-' (main or most important part) and 'Verhandlung' (hearing/proceeding). It therefore refers to the central and most important part of a court proceeding.
Der Anwalt bereitete seinen Mandanten auf die Hauptverhandlung vor.
The lawyer prepared his client for the main hearing.
This word belongs to the specialized language of the legal system. It is used almost exclusively when talking about court proceedings.
In den Nachrichten wurde über den Beginn der Hauptverhandlung berichtet.
The news reported on the start of the main hearing.
Common verbs used in connection with 'Hauptverhandlung' (main hearing) are 'eröffnen' (to open), 'beginnen' (to begin), 'stattfinden' (to take place), or 'vertagen' (to adjourn/postpone to a later date).
Der Richter eröffnete die Hauptverhandlung pünktlich um 9 Uhr.
The judge opened the main hearing promptly at 9 o'clock.
process / trial
'der Prozess' and 'die Hauptverhandlung' both belong to a court proceeding. 'Prozess' means the proceeding as a whole. 'Hauptverhandlung' means a specific central part of it: for example, evidence is examined, witnesses are heard, and arguments are presented there. The words can be confused because the main hearing is often the most visible part of a trial. Strictly speaking, however: the main hearing is part of the trial, not necessarily the whole trial.
In der Hauptverhandlung sagt der Zeuge zum ersten Mal vor Gericht aus.
In the main hearing, the witness testifies in court for the first time.
Der Prozess beginnt am Montag und soll zwei Wochen dauern.
The trial begins on Monday and is expected to last two weeks.