Across
- 2. In trial practice, an address delivered by the court to the jury at the close of the case instructing the jury as to what principles of law they are to apply in reaching a decision
- 5. A person who is not a judge but who is authorized to hear and decide certain types of cases.
- 7. A certain time allowed by law for starting a case. For example, six years in a contract case
- 12. To be found guilty of committing a crime.
- 13. An elected member of a jury who delivers the verdict to the court.
- 14. A complaint filed against an attorney or judge, claiming an ethics violation.
- 15. A person who testifies to what they saw, heard, observed or did.
- 16. A plea in a criminal case that allows the defendant to be convicted without admitting guilt for the crime charged. Also called nolo contendre. Although a finding of guilty is entered on the criminal court record, the defendant can deny the charges in a civil action based on the same acts.
- 18. or action in a court.
- 21. Testimony of a witness taken, under oath, in response to another party's questions. Testimony given outside the courtroom, usually in a lawyer's office. A word for word account (transcript) is made of the testimony.
- 23. A court decision. Also called a decree or an order.
- 24. A person who lends money to a defendant to pay for bail.
- 26. A person or legal entity that is named as a plaintiff or defendant on legal papers.
- 29. A civil injury or wrong to someone else, or their property.
- 30. Confinement to a state correctional institute or prison.
- 31. A formal written request to a court, which starts a special proceeding. In juvenile court, the legal document which specifies the complaint against the juvenile and/or family; it includes the name, age and address of the minor and his/her guardian, as well as the statutory grounds and facts upon which the request for the court intervention is based.
- 35. Power and authority of a court to hear and make a judgment in a case.
- 39. An accused person's answer to a criminal charge. For example: not guilty; guilty; no contest.
- 41. A person who hears and decides cases for the courts. Appointed by the governor for a term of eight years and confirmed by the General Assembly.
- 42. An attorney who is asked by the court (judge) to either represent a party to the case, or to serve in some other capacity that the case requires.
- 45. The people or legal entities that are named as plaintiff(s) and defendant(s) on legal papers.
- 46. Also called Bond. Money or property given to the court for the temporary release of a defendant, to ensure that the defendant will return to court.
- 47. A juror selected as a substitute in case another juror must leave the jury panel.
- 48. In civil cases, the person who is given court papers, also called a respondent. In criminal cases, the person who is arrested and charged with a crime.
- 51. A crime that carries a maximum penalty of one year and/or a $2,000 fine.
- 52. Directions given by the judge to the jury concerning the law of the case
- 55. The adjournment or postponement of a court case to another day.
- 58. Any criminal offense for which a person may be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of more than of one year.
- 59. The judge's formal instructions on the law to the jury before it begins deliberations.
- 61. To carry on a case or judicial proceeding. To proceed against a person criminally.
- 62. The agreement a defendant makes with the prosecutor to avoid a trial. Usually involves pleading guilty to lesser charges in exchange for a lighter sentence.
- 64. When a person is taken into custody by a police officer and charged with a crime.
- 65. Money a party receives as compensation for a legal wrong.
- 67. Work that convicted defendants are required to perform in order to repay the community for the harm caused to the community by the crime.
- 68. The person who maintains the official court record of your case. The court clerks’ office receives all court papers and assigns hearing dates.
Down
- 1. Trial by a judge, rather than by a jury.
- 3. A command to appear in court to testify as a witness.
- 4. Saying that something is true. The assertion, declaration or statement of a party in a case, made in a pleading.
- 6. A judge's decision to end the case.
- 8. Making false statements under oath.
- 9. "To speak the truth." The process of questioning prospective jurors or witnesses about their qualifications.
- 10. An attorney appointed and paid by the state who defends a person in a criminal case after the court finds that the person is indigent--financially unable to hire a private attorney.
- 11. A murder committed while the person is also committing a felony.
- 12. Questioning by a party or the attorney of an adverse party or a witness.
- 17. written document prepared by a lawyer or party on each side of a dispute and filed with the court in support of their arguments.
- 18. A legally enforceable agreement between two or more persons or parties.
- 19. Criminal punishment that is less restrictive than incarceration
- 20. A finding that someone disobeyed a court order. Can also mean disrupting court, for example, by being loud or disrespectful in court.
- 22. Asking a higher court to review the decision or sentence of a trial court because the lower court made an error.
- 25. Member of a jury.
- 27. Laws that develop through case decisions by judges. Not enacted by legislative bodies.
- 28. A jury whose members cannot reconcile their differences of opinion and thus cannot reach a verdict.
- 32. Testimony, documents or objects presented at a trial to prove a fact
- 33. A law enacted by a legislative body.
- 34. The legal process by which private property is taken for public use without the consent of the owner.
- 36. When a criminal defendant is brought before a judge after conviction for ordering the terms of the punishment.
- 37. Money ordered to be paid by the defendant to the victim to reimburse the victim for the costs of the crime. Generally making good, or giving the equivalent for any loss, damage or injury caused by a person's actions. Often a condition of probation.
- 38. Also called the state's attorney. Represents the state in a criminal case against a defendant.
- 40. Testimony given by a witness who tells second or third hand information.
- 43. When a convicted offender receives a suspended term of incarceration and is then supervised by a probation officer for a period of time set by a judge.
- 44. A formal request by one party in a lawsuit to disclose information or facts known by other parties or witnesses.
- 45. The person who sues or starts a civil case, also called the petitioner or the complainant.
- 49. The penalty imposed by a judge after the defendant is convicted of a crime. Sentences can be: Concurrent - Multiple sentences will be served at the same time (i.e., sentences of 10 years, 8 years and 2 years - to be served concurrently - equal a total effective sentence of 10 years.) Consecutive - The sentences are served back-to-back. The same example above would equal a total effective sentence of 20 years.
- 50. Statements made by a witness or party under oath.
- 53. A lawsuit other than a criminal case usually filed in a Judicial District courthouse. Includes family actions (divorces, child support, etc) and small claims cases, although these are both separately designated.
- 54. A claim by the defendant in a civil action that the defendant is entitled to damages or other relief from the plaintiff.
- 56. Postponement of a court session until another time or place.
- 57. A court order used to bring a person physically before a court in order to test the legality of the person's detention. Usually, it is directed to the official or person detaining another, commanding him to bring the person to court for the judge to determine if that person has been denied liberty without due process of law.
- 60. Release from incarceration after serving part of a sentence.
- 63. To be done presenting the evidence in a case, as in "the plaintiff rests".
- 66. The pleadings, the exhibits and the transcript made by the court reporter of all proceedings in a trial.