People in the Courtroom
a group of people who listen to evidence during a trial and decide whether the defendant committed the crime
What is a jury
The charges against the defendant are read, enters a plea to the charges, may ask for a free defense attorney (a public defender), judge may set bail.
What is the arraignment
legal obligation to prove one’s claim
what is burden of proof
request made by an attorney to a judge asking for a legal decision
what is a motion
how evidence can be delivered and what type of information witnesses can and cannot give.
what are evidence rules
writes down everything that is said during the court proceedings.
who is a court reporter
A defendant who does not understand the court process
what is incompetent to stand trial
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 reasonable suspicion
request asking the judge to delay the start of the trial or hearing.
what is motion for continuance
connection exists between the evidence and the case being tried, and the evidence is not randomly introduced
what is relevancy
responsible for handling the court’s finances.
who is a state court administrator
three pleas
what is Guilty, No Contest, Not Guilty
the standard of proof necessary for a defendant to be found guilty in criminal proceedings
what is beyond reasonable doubt
request asking the judge to not allow evidence at trial
what is motion to suppress
something that a witness says on the witness stand which is not based on personal knowledge.
what is hearsay
A legal order to appear in court sent to all witnesses scheduled to give testimony in a trial
what is a subpoena
not admitting they are guilty or responsible for committing the crime, but they are agreeing to be punished as if they are guilty.
what is no contest
the standard of proof used in most civil actions and amounts to approximately more than 50%, or the existing evidence of the offense is more convincing than the evidence offered to the contrary
what is preponderance of evidence
request asking the judge to dismiss the charges prior to the end of a trial
what is motion to dismiss
process followed by the defense attorney and prosecutor to find out what information the other lawyer has and plans to use during the trial.
what is discovery
referred to as the city attorney, district attorney, state’s attorney, the prosecution, or “the people."
who is a prosecutor
agreement between a defendant and prosecutor in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty or no contest, and the prosecutor agrees to reduce the charges or recommend a shorter sentence
what is a plea bargain
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.
what is reasonable doubt
can either grant or deny a motion
who is a judge
reason why a person committed a crime
what is motive