"People of the Court"
A person who is in charge of a court of law and who makes final decisions in legal disagreements. They are impartial decision-makers in the pursuit of justice.
Who is a Judge?
A person who has been accused of a crime and a claim or charge is brought in a court.
Who is the Defendant?
An occasion when the court, with or without a jury, decides on your guilt or innocence or decides on the penalty.
What is a Trial?
A group of people who attend a trial, listening to the testimony and evidence and make a decision (render a verdict) if you are guilty or not guilty of the crime to which you have been accused.
What is a Jury?
Keeping information secret; not allowed to repeat the information you share.
What is confidentiality?
An employee of the court that enforces the Judge's orders and announces events.
Who is the Bailiff?
A person who may know something about what you did or didn't do. This person will testify and answer questions asked by both lawyers.
Who is a Witness?
A gathering within a courtroom for the purpose of conducting a legal procedure.
What is a Hearing?
A finding or answer of a jury given to the court concering a matter submitted to their judgment.
What is a Verdict?
The defense by an accused person of having been elsewhere at the time an alleged offense was committed.
What is an Alibi?
A person who makes a word-for-word record of everything that is said in court.
Who is the Court Reporter?
This is written on a piece of paper by the prosecutor and says what law you are accused of breaking.
What is the "Charge"
To give evidence as a witness in a court of law. To speak.
What is to Testify?
The judge or jury decides that you have done and are responsible for the crime to which you have been accused.
What is a Guilty Verdict?
Evidence in the form of testimony from a witness who actually saw, heard, or touched the subject of questioning without relying on inference or other evidence.
What is Direct Evidence?
An officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining records of a court and to administer oaths to witnesses and jurors.
Who is the Clerk?
Spoken words that may or may not be factual. a confession is considered one of these.
What is a Witness Statement?
Data presented to a court or jury in proof of the facts in issue and which may include the testimony of witnesses, records, documents or objects.
What is Evidence?
The judge decides that you have NOT done and are NOT responsible for the crime to which you have been accused.
What is a "Not Guilty Verdict"
Evidence which strongly suggests something, but does not exactly prove it. It helps people draw inferences about a person active in a manner consistent or inconsistent with the alleged crime.
What is Circumstantial Evidence?
Lawyers who investigate, charge, and prosecute people whom they think have committed a crime.
Who is a Prosecutor/District Attorney?
This is an attorney that works with you and helps with your defense.
Who is a Defense Attorney/Public Defender?
(The Defense Attorney is the only person with whom you have "Attorney-Client Privilege.")
This means advocating on one's own behalf before a court rather than being represented by a lawyer.
What is "Pro Se"
(Defendants are automatically assigned a public defender if compentency is raised and the option to "go pro se" can be revisited once restored.)
This means that the prosecution has to prove you are guilty.
What is the Burden of Proof?
(You do NOT have to prove you are innocent. Officially, you are considered innocent until proven guilty.)
A rule that preserves the confidentiality of communications between lawyers and clients. The purpose of the privilege is to encourage clients to openly share information with their lawyers and to let lawyers provide effective representation.
What is Attorney-Client Privilege?