CRIMINAL TRIALS
The idea that a defendant is considered innocent until proven guilty in court.
Presumption of Innocence
An agreement between both sides to resolve a case without going to trial.
Settlement
The process of questioning potential jurors to decide if they should serve.
Voir Dire
The elected prosecutor who represents the government in criminal cases.
District Attorney (DA)
A teaching style where professors question students to develop critical thinking.
Socratic Method
The rights read to suspects, including the right to remain silent and have an attorney.
Miranda Rights
The responsibility of the prosecution to prove the defendant committed the crime.
Burden of Proof
The standard of proof meaning one side is more likely correct than the other.
Preponderance of the Evidence
When jurors cannot reach a unanimous decision.
Hung Jury
The lawyer (or team) responsible for defending the accused.
Defense Counsel
A standardized test used for admission into law school.
LSAT
A legal document allowing police to search a specific place for evidence.
Search Warrant
A formal charge issued (usually by a grand jury) stating there is enough evidence to go to trial.
Indictment
A wrongful act that leads to a civil lawsuit (not a crime).
Tort
The juror chosen to lead discussions and announce the verdict.
Foreperson
A lawyer who specializes in taking cases to court and arguing them.
Litigator
A written document explaining a legal argument using facts and law.
Brief (Legal Brief)
The documented handling of evidence to ensure it has not been altered.
Chain of Custody
An agreement where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge for a lighter sentence.
Plea Bargain
A case where a large group of people sue the same defendant together.
Class Action Lawsuit
A jury kept isolated from outside influence during a trial.
Sequestered
A lawyer who protects inventions, trademarks, and creative work.
Intellectual Property Lawyer
A simulated court experience where students argue fake cases for practice.
Moot Court
A reasonable belief that a crime has been committed (needed for arrests/searches).
Probable Cause
The rule that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime after a final verdict.
Double Jeopardy
A court order requiring someone to do or stop doing something.
Injunction
When a jury finds a defendant not guilty even if they believe the law was broken, because they think the law is unfair.
Nullification
A lawyer who handles appeals, focusing on legal errors from previous trials rather than new evidence.
Appellate Lawyer
The legal principle of following precedent when making decisions.
Stare Decisis
The rule that illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in court.
Exclusionary Rule