Court Systems

3. party against whom a claim or charge is brought
4. government attorney who represents the interests of the public in court proceedings against people accused of crimes
6. final judicial decision
7. formal statement given by a witness under oath
10. legal judgment stating a person accused of a crime cannot be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt
11. procedure in which the prosecutor and defense attorney question potential jurors to pick a jury
12. formal accusation initiating a criminal case
13. request by defense or prosecution to have a higher court resolve a dispute with a decision
17. written, sworn statement
18. any judicial decision ending a criminal proceeding
19. jury unable to reach a verdict because of disagreement
21. when a court official disqualifies or withdraws him or herself from a case due to questions regarding bias
23. sworn testimony of a witness taken outside of court in the presence of prosecution and defense attorneys
25. hearing in which a person charged with a crime is informed of the charges, enters a plea and is advised of constitutional rights
29. formal statement made by or on behalf of a defendant stating guilt or innocence in response to a charge
30. civil lawsuit in which a large group sues
31. protest or argument made concerning the activity of the opposing party in court
32. formal request made to a judge for an order or judgment

1. reduction of the sentence of a convicted criminal
2. trial in which a judge hears the case and decides guilt of the accused without a jury
5. process of a witness being questioned by the opposing party
8. court order requiring an accused person (who is not already in custody) to appear in court
9. person or party who initiates a lawsuit
14. release, prior to trial, of an accused person under certain conditions; also refers to the money provided as a condition of release
15. threshold which must be reached in order to have a claim legally established as fact
16. formal accusation filed by prosecution
20. compensation a convicted offender is ordered to pay to the victim
22. delay or postponement of a court hearing
24. law formed by past court decisions
26. trial deemed invalid because of a fundamental error in procedure, such as misconduct or a hung jury
27. legal judgment stating a person accused of a crime has been found guilty
28. court order requiring a person to appear in court to give testimony or provide evidence