People in the Courtroom
What is a jury?
12 people who listen to evidence during a trial and decide whether the defendant committed the crime, they decide the verdict.
What is the arraignment?
First hearing defendant goes to
The charges are read
Defendant enters a plea to the charges
Can get a court-appointed attorney (a public defender)
The judge may set bail
What is the burden of proof?
The legal obligation to prove one’s claim
What is a motion?
A request made by an attorney to a judge asking for a legal decision
What are evidence rules?
How evidence can be delivered and what type of information witnesses can and cannot give
Who is a court reporter?
They write down everything that is said in court
What is incompetent to stand trial?
A defendant who does not understand the court process
What is reasonable suspicion?
The officer had reason to believe the car she was following might be stolen since the license plate was not on the vehicle
What is motion for continuance?
A request asking the judge to delay the start of the trial or hearing
What is relevancy?
A connection between the evidence and the case being tried, and the evidence is not random
What does state court administrator do?
They handle the court's finances $$$
What are the three pleas
Guilty
No Contest
Not Guilty
What is beyond a reasonable doubt?
The standard of proof needed for a defendant to be found guilty in trial
What is motion to suppress?
A request asking the judge not to allow evidence at trial
What is hearsay?
Something that a witness says on the witness stand, which is not based on personal knowledge
What is a subpoena?
A legal order sent to all witnesses to appear in court to give testimony in a trial
What is no contest?
not admitting they are guilty of the crime, but they will take the punishment
What is the preponderance of evidence?
The standard of proof used in most civil actions and mental competency hearings
If the defendant scores 49% or below they are not competent to stand trial, if above 51% they are competent to stand trial
What is a motion to dismiss?
A request asking the judge to dismiss the charges before the end of a trial
What is discovery?
A process by the defense attorney and prosecutor to find out what information the other lawyer has and plans to use during the trial
Who is a prosecutor?
referred to as the city attorney, district attorney, state’s attorney, the prosecution, or “the people."
What is a plea bargain?
A deal between a defendant and prosecutor, the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest, and the prosecutor agrees to reduce the charges or recommend a shorter sentence
What is reasonable doubt?
There was some doubt about the defendant’s guilt.
Although the weapon was found in his backyard, no one witnessed the crime, and the fingerprints on the weapon were not his.
Who can grant or deny a motion?
The Judge
What is motive?
The reason why a person committed a crime