Mock Trials

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Across
  1. 1. The official decision of a court finally resolving the dispute between the parties to the lawsuit.
  2. 3. The rules for conducting a lawsuit; there are rules of civil procedure, criminal procedure, evidence, bankruptcy, and appellate procedure.
  3. 4. offense A crime punishable by death.
  4. 6. Government entity authorized to resolve legal disputes. Judges sometimes use "court" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs."
  5. 10. In a crimInal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges. See also nolo contendere.
  6. 11. of proof Degree of proof required. In criminal cases, prosecutors must prove a defendant's guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt." The majority of civil lawsuits require proof "by a preponderance of the evidence" (50 percent plus), but in some the standard is higher and requires "clear and convincing" proof.
  7. 12. A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  8. 13. A command, issued under a court's authority, to a witness to appear and give testimony.
  9. 15. se Representing oneself. Serving as one's own lawyer.
  10. 16. instructions A judge's directions to the jury before it begins deliberations regarding the factual questions it must answer and the legal rules that it must apply.
  11. 17. process In criminal law, the constitutional guarantee that a defendant will receive a fair and impartial trial. In civil law, the legal rights of someone who confronts an adverse action threatening liberty or property.
  12. 21. To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal case on behalf of the government
  13. 23. A person called upon by either side in a Lawsuit to give testimony before the court or jury.
  14. 25. An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury.
  15. 26. To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.
  16. 29. Send back.
  17. 31. A written statement that begins a civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff details the claims against the defendant.
  18. 33. egal advice; a term also used to refer to the lawyers in a case.
  19. 36. dire Jury selection process of questioning prospective jurors, to ascertain their qualifications and determine any basis for challenge.
  20. 39. reporter A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court, generally by using a stenographic machine, shorthand or audio recording, and then produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
  21. 41. An allegation in an indictment or information, charging a defendant with a crime. An indictment or information may contain allegations that the defendant committed more than one crime. Each allegation is referred to as a count.
  22. 44. In a civil case, the person or organization against whom the plaintiff brings suit; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  23. 45. of limitations The time within which a lawsuit must be filed or a criminal prosecution begun. The deadline can vary, depending on the type of civil case or the crime charged.
  24. 46. The decision of a trial jury or a judge that determines the guilt or innocence of a criminal defendant, or that determines the final outcome of a civil case.
  25. 48. The appellate court agrees with the lower court decision and allows it to stand. See affirmed.
  26. 49. The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
  27. 50. A term used to describe evidence that may be considered by a jury or judge in civil and criminal cases.
  28. 51. of court The court officer who oversees administrative functions, especially managing the flow of cases through the court. The clerk's office is often called a court's central nervous system.
  29. 52. corpus Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ of habeas corpus generally is a judicial order forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement. Federal judges receive petitions for a writ of habeas corpus from state prison inmates who say their state prosecutions violated federally protected rights in some way.
  30. 53. evidence Evidence indicating that a defendant did not commit the crime.
  31. 54. The geographic area in which a court has jurisdiction. A change of venue is a change or transfer of a case from one judicial district to another.
  32. 55. The group of persons selected to hear the evidence in a trial and render a verdict on matters of fact. See also grand jury.
Down
  1. 2. An offense punishable by one year of imprisonment or less. See also felony.
  2. 5. jury A body of 16-23 citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which is presented by the prosecutors, and determine whether there is probable cause to believe an individual committed an offense. See also indictment and U.S. attorney.
  3. 7. argument An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
  4. 8. A written, word-for-word record of what was said, either in a proceeding such as a trial, or during some other formal conversation, such as a hearing or oral deposition
  5. 9. Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
  6. 14. juror A juror selected in the same manner as a regular juror who hears all the evidence but does not help decide the case unless called on to replace a regular juror.
  7. 16. An official of the Judicial branch with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Used generically, the term judge may also refer to all judicial officers, including Supreme Court justices.
  8. 18. A law passed by a legislature.
  9. 19. A request by a litigant to a judge for a decision on an issue relating to the case.
  10. 20. jury (or trial jury) Group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute. Usually consists of 12 people
  11. 22. Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case in favor of one side or the other.
  12. 24. Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest.
  13. 27. rule Doctrine that says evidence obtained in violation of a criminal defendant's constitutional or statutory rights is not admissible at trial.
  14. 28. A written account of the proceedings in a case, including all pleadings, evidence, and exhibits submitted in the course of the case.
  15. 30. attorney A lawyer appointed by the President in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases for the federal government. The U.S. Attorney employs a staff of Assistant U.S. Attorneys who appear as the government's attorneys in individual cases.
  16. 32. A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
  17. 34. A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.
  18. 35. The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a certain type of case. It also is used as a synonym for venue, meaning the geographic area over which the court has territorial jurisdiction to decide cases.
  19. 37. A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
  20. 38. of proof The duty to prove disputed facts. In civil cases, a plaintiff generally has the burden of proving his or he r case. In criminal cases, the government has the burden of proving the defendant's guilt.
  21. 40. The process of calling a witness's testimony into doubt. For example, if the attorney can show that the witness may have fabricated portions of his testimony, the witness is said to be "impeached;"
  22. 42. evidence Evidence indicating that a defendant did commit the crime.
  23. 43. Evidence presented by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. With some exceptions, hearsay generally is not admissible as evidence at trial
  24. 47. 1. The disputed point between parties in a lawsuit; 2. To send out officially, as in a court issuing an order.