Courtroom Procedures
What is a Crime?
This is committed when someone breaks the law, even if someone does not know about the law that was broken.
What is Evidence?
Anything that provides proof of a defendants guilt or innocence.
What could happen if someone speaks or moves around in court without permission?
He/She could be held in contempt of court. This could lead to fines, time in jail, or other penalties.
Who is the boss of the courtroom?
The Judge
The person who escorts someone held in contempt out of the courtroom.
Baliff
What is a Trial?
A legal proceeding held in a courtroom to decide if a defendant is guilty, not guilty, or not criminally responsible.
When the defendant says that he or she did not commit the crime.
Not Guilty
Term used when the defense attorney or prosecuting attorney asks the court for a second opinion about the verdict or the sentence.
Appeal
What do you call the person who has been charged with a crime?
The Defendant
This person types everything that is said during the trial.
The Court Reporter
What is a Hearing?
A less formal court proceeding to ensure that a trial is fair.
When the defendant says that he or she committed the crime.
Guilty
The punishment given by the judge to the guilty.
A Sentence
Which person keeps order in the court, makes sure both sides are treated fairly, and helps the jury understand the rules of the courtroom and how to make decisions?
The Judge
This person tries to convict the defendant of a crime and get the maximum sentence.
A Prosecuting Attorney/ The Prosecutor/ The District Attorney.
What does Testify mean?
When someone answers questions from the defense attorney, the prosecuting attorney, or both.
What does No Contest mean?
When the defendant will not say that he or she is guilty or not guilty. The judge will review the available evidence and determine whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. The defendant will not have a trial by jury, will not face his or her accusers, and may not have an appeal.
What is a Verdict?
Decision as to whether the defendant is guilty, not guilty, or not criminally responsible.
What is the term for 6 or 12 people from the community who are selected to hear a trial?
The Jury. Each member of this group is selected based on their ability to make fair decisions. When present, they give the verdict.
The police officer/deputy in the courtroom.
The Baliff
What is Guilty Except for Insanity (GEI)?
The defendant committed the crime but at the time of the crime, the defendant either did not know that the action was wrong and/or could not control his or her behavior due to mental illness.
Following appropriate courtroom behavior is a good way to show that you are ready to assist your attorney and that you are able to participate in your defense.
Could you share a total of three Do's and Don'ts to follow in the courtroom?
Do's:
*Shower and put on clean clothes if possible, Sit quietly in your seat, *Communicate with attorney by leaning quietly or slide a note, *Use appropriate language, *Be respectful, *Speak only when it's your turn.
Don't
*Stand up or walk around, *Speak without permission, *yell or use profanity, *Disrespect any member of the courtroom.
Term for when the defendant pleas guilty or not contest to a less serious charge and receives a lesser punishment than he or she would have received if found guilty at trial.
Plea Bargain
This person represents you and wants to get the best possible verdict for you.
Defense Attorney
A person who tells what he or she knows about a crime.
A Witness