Types of Courts
Has broad authority to hear general civil and criminal cases
General jurisdiction
Party that initiates the proceedings in a court of original jurisdiction
Plaintiff
The initial pleading filed by the plaintiff
Complaint
The official term for jury selection
Voir dire examination
The settlement of disputed questions, whether of law or fact, by one or more arbitrators by whose decision the parties agree to be bound
Arbitration
General trial court of the federal system
Federal district courts
The party initiating the court proceedings
Prosecutor
Paperwork served personally on a defendant in a civil case
The Process
Statements by opposing attorneys that tell the jury what their cases will prove
Opening statements
Process in which a neutral person acts as a messenger between opposing sides of a dispute, carrying to each side the latest settlement offer made by the other
Mediation
Has the authority to hear only particular kinds of cases
Limited or special jurisdiction
Party against whom the civil or criminal proceedings are brought
Defendant
The papers filed by the parties in an action in order to set forth the facts and frame the issues to be tried
Pleadings
The quality of the evidence in a case that allows it to be presented to the jury
Admissibility
When a third person or a committee makes an out-of-court determination of the rights of persons
Reference to a third person
Reviews the work of a lower court
Appellate court
Body of citizens sworn by a court to reach a verdict on the basis of the case presented to them
Jury
Procedures for ascertaining facts prior to the time of trial in order to eliminate the element of surprise in litigation
Discovery
Examination of a witness by his or her attorney
Direct examination
A court created by a trade association or group for the resolution of disputes among its members
Association tribunal
The final court in the federal system
U.S. Supreme Court
The primary officer of the court
Judge
The testimony of a witness taken under oath outside the courtroom
Deposition
The attorney address that follows all the evidence presented in court and sums up a case
Summations
A mock or dry-run trial for parties to get a feel for how their cases will play to a jury
Summary jury trial