12 Angry Men
This actor plays the calm, reasonable juror who starts the "not guilty" discussion.
Who is Henry Fonda?
This is the rule that says a person on trial is considered innocent until the prosecution proves them guilty.
What is "innocent until proven guilty"? (or presumption of innocence)
This is the general term for a civil wrong (not a crime or contract breach) where one person harms another and can be sued for damages.
What is a tort?
This is the most serious type of crime, usually punishable by more than one year in prison—examples include murder, rape, and armed robbery.
What is a felony?
This defense claims the person accused of the crime was forced or threatened into doing it by someone else, like "I had to rob the store or they would kill my family."
What is duress?
At the beginning of the movie, 11 jurors vote this way, while only one votes "not guilty."
What is guilty?
This is the person or side that starts a lawsuit by making a claim against someone else.
Who is the plaintiff?
These three main categories of torts are intentional, negligence, and this one (where liability applies even without fault, like for defective products or wild animals).
What is strict liability?
This less serious type of crime is usually punishable by up to one year in jail or a fine—examples include petty theft, simple assault, and DUI.
What is a misdemeanor?
This very common defense says the accused did not commit the crime at all and someone else did it—or that no crime even happened.
What is alibi? (or "I didn't do it")
The boy on trial is accused of stabbing his father with this sharp object.
What is a knife? (or switchblade)
This is the person or side being accused or sued—they have to defend themselves in court.
Who is the defendant?
This is the most common type of tort, where someone fails to act with reasonable care and causes harm—like texting while driving and causing a crash.
What is negligence?
This violent crime involves the unlawful killing of another person, and can be divided into murder (intentional) or manslaughter (unintentional).
What is homicide? (or murder/manslaughter)
This defense allows someone to use reasonable force to protect themselves (or others) from immediate harm, like fighting back against an attacker.
What is self-defense?
Almost the entire movie takes place inside this hot, stuffy room where the 12 men must decide the verdict.
What is the jury room?
This is the official decision a jury or judge makes at the end of a trial, like "guilty" or "not guilty."
This intentional tort happens when someone purposely makes harmful or offensive physical contact with another person, like punching or unwanted touching.
What is battery?
This common crime involves taking someone else's property without permission and with intent to keep it—examples include shoplifting or stealing a bike.
What is theft? (or larceny)
This defense argues that the person was so mentally ill at the time of the crime that they didn't know what they were doing was wrong or couldn't control their actions.
What is insanity? (or not guilty by reason of insanity)
By the end of the movie, all 12 jurors finally agree on this verdict.
What is not guilty?
When a jury finds someone not guilty in a criminal trial, this is the term for being cleared of the charges.
What is an acquittal? (or to acquit)
This intentional tort involves putting someone in reasonable fear of immediate harmful contact, like threatening to hit them while raising a fist.
What is assault?
This crime involves taking property from a person using force, threats, or fear—it's more serious than simple theft because of the violence or intimidation involved.
What is robbery?
This defense claims the person was so drunk or under the influence of drugs that they couldn't form the intent needed for certain crimes (works better for "specific intent" crimes like theft).
What is intoxication? (or voluntary intoxication)