Courtroom Roles
Judge
presides over the trial, rules on objections, and ensures courtroom rules are followed
Opening statements
first opportunity each attorney has to explain what they expect the evidence will show
"Leading"
when a question suggests the answer the witness should give during direct examination
A statement made under oath by a witness during a trial is called this
This Supreme Court case required police to inform suspects of their constitutional rights before custodial questioning.
Miranda v. Arizona
Lawyer(s)
question witnesses and present evidence on behalf of each side
Direct examination
an attorney questions their own witness using open-ended questions (leading questions)
"Relevance"
when testimony does not relate to an issue in the case.
Evidence
This term refers to physical objects, documents, or photographs presented to help prove a case.
This landmark 1954 case declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
Brown v. Board of Education
Witness
testifies under oath about facts they know related to the case
Cross-examinations
allows the opposing attorney to question a witness and test the credibility of their testimony
when a witness is asked to repeat an out-of-court statement offered to prove the truth of what was said
This is the formal decision reached by a jury or judge after hearing the case.
This case guaranteed that criminal defendants who cannot afford an attorney have the right to one.
Gideon v. Wainwright
Bailiff
maintains order, escorts witnesses, and may swear them in before they testify
Closing arguments
after all evidence has been presented, attorneys summarize their cases during this part of the trial
"Speculation"
when an attorney asks a witness to guess rather than testify about something they actually know
Plaintiff or prosecution
the side bringing the lawsuit or criminal charges
This 1974 Supreme Court case required a U.S. president to turn over White House tapes during the Watergate investigation.
United States v. Nixon
Jurt
listens to the evidence and determines the facts before reaching a verdict
Put these trial events in the correct order: Opening Statements, Closing Arguments, Witness Testimony, Verdict
Opening Statements → Witness Testimony → Closing Arguments → Verdict
"Foundation" or "lack of foundation"
before a witness may testify about an exhibit, an attorney must often establish this to show the witness has sufficient knowledge about it
Presumption of innocence
a person is considered innocent until proven guilty
This famous 1925 trial, sometimes called the "Monkey Trial," centered on whether a teacher could legally teach evolution in a Tennessee public school.
The Scopes Trial