Using a definition of political trial which classes trials as "political" if they relate to offenses arising out of some form of political activity, the article discusses the problems faced by prosecutors, defendants, and magistrates and judges in determining an optimal response to the problems and opportunities created by political trials. It examines prosecution strategies (the decision to withdraw charges); defense strategies (plea, type of defense, use of lawyers, types of plea in mitigation, decisions on whether to pay fines); and court strategies (response to contexts, use of the contempt power, sentencing). Changing patterns over time are also explored. Marked differences are found to emerge between political and non-political cases, and between early and late cases. (Author abstract)