How would you run a criminal trial with PCs running defence?

Hello!

A few days ago in my campaign the PCs stopped a golem that had been disguised as a statue. The original mason who carved the statue has been jailed pending trial and the PCs have concluded (after some investigation) that he's not to blame. They're going to represent him in court.

How would you run this? Would it be based on a system of Persuasion rolls or solely RP? And what procedure would your trial have?

Also, have your players ever been on trial and how did it go?