Courtroom Personnel
What is the role of the witness?
To testify under oath about what they saw or heard.
What does it MEAN if the defendant pleads guilty?
That they are admitting to the crime.
What is the consequence of no contest?
sentence
What is the difference between a felony and misdemeanor?
Felony is a more serious crime A YEAR AND MORE
Misdemeanor is a less serious crime A YEAR OR LESS
does the defendant have to testify in court?
NO!
the defendant does not have to.
What is the role of the judge?
To give a fair trial and make sure all evidence is legal.
What does it MEAN if the defendant pleads not guilty?
The defendant is saying that they did not commit the crime.
What is the consequence of guilty?
sentence
What happens if the defendant is found not guilty?
Free!
If the defendant chooses to testify, does the defendant have to testify to everything?
the defendant does not.
he has the right to NOT incriminate himself by not answering specific questions.
What is the role of the public defender?
To defend the defendant and represent them.
What does it MEAN if the defendant enters a plea of no contest?
The defendant is NOT admitting guilty, but accepts the sentence.
Go ahead and sentence me, I am not fighting the case.
What is the consequence of not guilty?
a trial.
To determine if the defendant did or did not commit the crime.
If you decide to testify (which you don't have to) who would ask questions first?
since the public defender is on your side, the public defender would ask questions first!
What is confidentiality?
A statement or conversation you have with your attorney and they CAN NOT talk about it with anyone
What is the role of the jury?
To pay attention to evidence and determine a verdict based of that information.
What does it MEAN if the defendant enters the plea of Not Guilty By Reason of Insanity?
Defendant is admitting to have committed the crime, but is saying they were mental ill at the time of the crime.
What is the consequence of NGRI?
Trial.
To determine if the defendant WAS insane AT the time of the crime.
what is probation & what are some of the rules you need to follow?
Probation: when released back into the community, but have to follow certain rules and have check ins with your PO
Rules to follow: check ins, no drugs or alcohol, no hanging out with others who have felonies
Who gives the verdict in a bench trial?
the Judge
What is the role of District Attorney?
To convict the defendant and find him / her guilty
What is a plea bargain?
It is a deal provided by the DA to the defendant for a lower sentence.
What two pleas must you enter in order to enter a plea bargain?
No contest & Guilty
If found NGRI, were would the defendant serve his time?
Mental state hospital (it is still a prison, but provides the defendants treatment)
Who gives the verdict in a jury trial?
The 12 jurors.