Testimony
This person has special education or knowledge about a particular topic that qualifies them to testify about some aspect of the crime.
Who is an Expert Witness?
This is the process for choosing the people from the community who will listen to all the evidence and decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty.
What is Jury Selection (Voir Dire)?
A judgement at the end of a trial that a defendant is not guilty of the crime for which they have been charged with.
What is an Acquittal?
When you are found guilty of more than one crime and you must finish serving one sentence before you begin serving the next sentence.
What is a Consecutive Sentence?
This right says you do not have to testify against yourself.
This person is called to testify because they have first-hand knowlege about the crime.
Who is an Eyewitness?
This is when the jury retires after all the evidence has been presented, debates about that evidence, and reaches a verdict.
What is Jury Deliberation?
A formal declaration of a defendant's guilt after a guilty or no contest plea or after a guilty verdict at the end of a trial.
What is a Conviction?
When you are found guilty of more than one crime and you serve all the sentences at the same time.
What is a Concurrent Sentence?
This right says you will have professional legal assistance throughout the judicial process.
What is the Right to Counsel (a Lawyer)?
This witness didn't see the crime, but they can tell the court what kind of person the defendant is.
Who is a Character Witness?
This is when, before trial begins, both attorneys ask the judge to make decisions about what evidence will be allowed at trial.
What are Pre-Trial Motions?
This is when an individual convicted of a crime asks a higher court to review their case for legal errors to either overturn the conviction or get a retrial.
What is an Appeal?
A type of plea bargain where you plead guilty in exchange for the prosecutor recommending a reduced sentence.
What is a Sentence Plea Bargain?
This right says people from the community make the final decision of guilt or innocence in a criminal trial.
What is the Right to a Jury Trial?
When a witness repeats second-hand information on the witness stand.
What is Hearsay?
This is the legal basis that allows police to arrest someone or ask for a warrant when they have a reasonable suspicion the suspect committed a crime.
What is Probable Cause?
This is when your case is dismissed and the charges cannot be brought up again in the future.
What is Dismissed with Prejudice?
A type of plea bargain where you plead guilty to a less serious charge than the one originally charged.
What is a Charge Plea Bargain?
This right says a witness must come to court and make their accusations against you to your face and not anonymously.
What is the Right to Confront Your Accusers?
This is the only person who can decide if the defendant takes the stand to testify.
Who is the Defendant?
This is the legal process where the prosecution and defense share evidence and information before trial.
What is Discovery?
This is when your case is dismissed, but the prosecutor can bring those charges against you again in the future.
What is a Dismissed without Prejudice?
When the defendant gets to speak directly to the judge before sentence is passed, at which time they can ask for mercy, show remorse, or explain why they did it.
What is Allocution?
This right says the courts and law enforcement must treat a defendant fairly and follow all the proper procedures before they deprive anyone of "life, liberty, or property".
What is the Right to Due Process?