Take the Stand
This word means to give sworn answers in court. Witnesses must answer questions truthfully, be direct, and stay on topic without unnecessary detail.
What is testify?
What do you call a person who gives information or evidence about something they know or saw in a court case? (In general!)
What is a witness?
What is information, an object, or a statement that is used to help prove or disprove something in a court case?
What is evidence?
Randa is accused of stealing a phone. A security camera shows Randa was at work when the phone was stolen. Does this evidence support Randa or the State?
Randa.
What is the name for the person who is accused of committing a crime?
Who is the defendant?
True or False: The ability to testify relevantly is a competency factor in Florida.
True.
What type of witness gives information about a person's behavior, reputation, or personal qualities?
What is a character witness?
Name 2 examples of physical objects that can be used as evidence in a criminal case.
What are weapons, fingerprints, clothing, blood, DNA samples, photographs, video recordings, cell phones, computers, documents, letters, drugs, money, bullet casings, bullets, tools, footprints, tire tracks, etc.?
Maria is accused of breaking a store window. A witness says Maria broke the window, but a security video shows someone else breaking it. Does the evidence support Maria or the State?
Maria.
What is the name for the lawyer who represents the defendant?
Who is the public defender/defense attorney?
What is the questioning of a witness by the lawyer who called that witness to testify called? For example, the defense lawyer questions the defense witness.
What is direct examination?
What type of witness has special knowledge or training in a certain subject and can give an opinion based on that knowledge?
What is an expert witness?
A person tells the court what they saw happen. Is this witness testimony, a physical object, or a written document?
What is witness testimony?
Dan is accused of stealing money from his roommate. Dan's fingerprints are found on the cash drawer, but Dan says he never touched it. Does this evidence support Dan or the State?
The State.
What is the name for the lawyer who represents the State in a criminal case?
Who is the prosecutor/State attorney?
What is questioning of a witness by the opposing lawyer called? For example, the prosecutor questions the defense witness.
What is cross examination?
What type of witness is someone who personally saw or heard something happen?
What is an eyewitness?
A fingerprint is found at a crime scene. Is it witness testimony, a physical object, or a written document?
What is a physical object?
Tim is accused of damaging a car. A security camera shows Tim standing next to the car, but the video does not show him interacting with it in any way. Does the video prove Tim damaged the car?
No.
A group of 6 or 12 people from the community who are selected to hear a trial and decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
What is the jury?
What is it called when someone knowingly lies under oath, and what is the penalty for this offense? (You must get both questions correct in order to receive credit!)
What is perjury? What is up to 5 years?
During competency hearings, what type of witness is called to the stand to testify that the defendant is, in their opinion, competent to proceed?
What is an expert witness?
A written competency evaluation is presented to the court. Is it witness testimony, a physical object, or a written document?
What is a written document?
Sara is accused of assaulting someone at 9:00 p.m. A store receipt shows Sara bought something 20 miles away at 8:55 p.m., and the store's camera shows her there. Would this evidence support Sara's claim that she did not commit the assault?
Yes.
During a trial, who decides questions about the law and makes sures the courtroom follows the rules?
Who is the judge?