Courtroom Roles
Who is the defendant in your case?
Who is...me.
(The defendant is the person accused of committing a crime)
How should you behave in court?
What is... Be respectful, dress appropriately, tell the truth, and follow the Judge's instructions.
What is an NGRI plea?
What is...
NGRI stands for "Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity." It means the defendant claims they were legally insane at the time the crime was committed.
What is the result of being found not guilty?
What is... The defendant is acquitted and cannot be punished for that charge.
What is more serious, a felony or a misdemeanor?
What is...a felony.
What is the job of a judge?
What is... To oversee the trial, make sure the trial is fair, and sentencing if there is a conviction.
What do you do if you disagree with your lawyer?
What is...
Talk with your lawyer about your concerns.
Where do they send people who plead NGRI?
What is....
Usually to a secure mental health facility instead of prison.
How many jurors have to agree on a verdict?
What is... 12 (all of them)
What is an arraignment?
What is... The defendants first court appearance where the charges are read and a plea is entered.
What is the job of the jury and how many jurors are there?
What is... To listen to evidence and decide the verdict. A jury has 12 jurors.
What is the result of bad behavior in court?
What is...Contempt of Court
What is the benefit of getting a plea bargain?
What is...
A plea bargain may reduce the charges or the sentence and avoids going to trial.
What happens if the jury cannot agree on a verdict?
What is... The judge may declare a hung jury and a mistrial.
What is probation?
What is... A court-ordered period of supervision in the community instead of serving time in jail/prison with rules set by the court.
What is the role of the prosecutor?
What is... to represent the government, and try to prove the defendant guilty.
Is everything you say to your attorney kept private? What is this called?
Yes. Most communications between you and your attorney are protected by attorney-client privilege, with limited exceptions.
What must you plead to be offered a plea bargain?
What is... Guilty or No Contest.
What is an oath and why is it important?
What is... A promise to tell the truth. It is important because lying under oath is a crime called perjury.
What is the difference between jail and prison?
What is...
Jail usually hold people awaiting trial or serving shorter sentences.
Prison houses people serving longer sentences for more serious crimes.
Why does the prosecutor ask you questions?
What is...To gather facts, test your credibility & help prove or disprove the charges.
What rights does the defendant have?
What is...
The right to remain silent
The right to an attorney
The right to a fair trial
The right to present evidence and confront witnesses
The right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
What are the potential consequences of pleading guilty?
What is...
A guilty plea can result in a criminal conviction, jail or prison, probation, fines, and a permanent criminal record.
What does "beyond a reasonable doubt" mean?
What is... The highest standard of proof in criminal law. The jury must be positive the defendant is guilty before the guilty verdict.
What does a police/arrest report consist of?
What is...
- Date, time, and location of the incident
- Names of the people involved
- Statements
- Evidence collected
- Crimes or charges