pleas
Tell me the 4 pleas you can submit in court
What is not guilty, guilty, NGRI, no contest
Where will you be sent if you plead guilty?
What is the job of the judge
He's the boss of the courtroom; he provides over the court proceedings and make's sure everyone in the court is following the laws.
What are the two types of charges?
A misdemeanor and felony
Being respectful, quiet, honest, allowing your lawyer to speak for you. Not shouting, yelling or speaking when the judge is speaking.
Which 2 plea's led to sentencing
What is guilty and no contest
Where will you be sent if you are found not guilty?
Home!:)
Who are the two attorneys in the courtroom and what are their jobs?
The district attorney and the defense attorney.
The district attorney wants the defendant to be found guilty and serve the maximum sentence possible. The defense attorney wants the defendant to be found not guilty and serve the less time possible.
What does no contest mean?
You are not admitting to the charges, but you will accept the punishment.
Suit, tie, slacks for the ladies. Hair up or clean shaven. Showered and smelling clean.
Which plea's lead to trial?
What is NGRI and not guilty
What are the other possible outcomes then jail or prison?
Who is neutral in the courtroom? Name them all.
Judge, bailiff, court reporter, court clerk, the gallery and the jury.
What is a plea bargain? Who must agree to a plea bargain?
A deal for lesser time or lesser charges. The judge, both attorney's and the defendant must agree to the plea bargain.
If you had to tell your lawyer something in court how would you communicate with them?
Pass them a note or whisper to them. The courtroom is very quiet any noise could be distracting.
Karina plead's not guilty in court. She goes to trial and there is enough evidence that proves she committed the crime. What is her likely outcome?
She will be found guilty and will serve the MAXIUMUM sentence for her charges
What is the difference between probation and parole?
Probation is a possible outcome where you can be released rather than parole where you must serve time before being release
Can witnesses be against you in court?
Yes, if they are testifying against me in court then they would be on the district attorney's side.
What are two rights you lose when you accept a plea?
The right to trial and right to appeal
When is the first appearance you'll have in front of the judge? What is this called and what happens there?
The arraignment is the first time I will be seen in front of a judge.
Here the judge will
read me my charges
ask what I plea
and provide me an attorney if I don't have one.
What are the benefits of pleading guilty or no contest?
You can ask for a plea bargain and serve LESSER time. You avoid trial and the uncertainty of trial.
Karina is in competency restoration and has been for the past year. Once she is restored, she returns to court and the judge recognizes her crime was small, is non dangerous and this is her first offense. What do you think her likely outcome may be?
Who can cross exam in court?
The district attorney and the defense attorney can cross examine any witness or the defendant if the defendant chooses to testify.
What are the positives and negatives of accepting a plea bargain?
Possitives:
You get lesser time or lesser charges
You avoid trial
Negatives:
You have to plead guilty or no contest
The charges will be on your record, and you have to serve the time
Karina is in court. When a witness says something against her on the stand she yells YOU LIAR I NEVER DID THAT. The judge says order in the court. What do you think will happen to Karina?
She could be found in contempt of court for breaking the law.