Final answer:
Ned's task of judging the soundness of arguments in a criminal trial is termed as jury deliberation, where jurors discuss evidence and attempt to reach a unanimous verdict.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that Ned, a juror in a criminal trial, goes through as he judges the soundness of each argument is known as jury deliberation. Ned's task of judging the soundness of arguments in a criminal trial is termed as jury deliberation, where jurors discuss evidence and attempt to reach a unanimous verdict.
Jurors listen to the opening arguments, witness testimonies, and closing arguments from both the prosecution and the defense. Then they enter the jury room to commence their deliberations.
Ned and his peers will debate the evidence presented, engage in discussions, and finally aim to reach a unanimous decision on the defendant's guilt or innocence. If a unanimous decision cannot be reached, the trial may end in a mistrial, and the prosecution may then decide to retry the case.