Criminal case tried or argued without evidence (7)
I believe the answer is:
claimed
'argued without evidence' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this definition defines the answer.
'criminal case tried' is the wordplay.
'case' means to remove the middle letters.
'tried' becomes 'aimed' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'criminal' with its centre taken out is 'cl'.
'cl'+'aimed'='CLAIMED'
'or' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for claimed that I've seen before include "Alleged" , "Called for" , "Asserted, contended" , "Declared" , "Asserted one's right to" .)