Across
- 2. A judge rejects an attorney's objection during a trial, allowing evidence or testimony to proceed, OR a higher court decides a prior legal precedent is incorrect, rendering it no longer valid. It is distinct from reversing a case, as it invalidates the legal rule itself.
- 7. Weighing facts and arguments: being slow and careful in deciding
- 10. A formal, structured court proceeding where evidence and witnesses are presented to a judge or jury to resolve a legal dispute, determine guilt in criminal cases, or decide liability in civil cases
- 14. When a jury member is isolated so he or she cannot be exposed to any opinions related to a court case
- 16. A person who has been charged with a crime
- 19. When trial is complete or stops for any reason
- 21. An individual who provides testimonial evidence—orally or in writing—regarding facts they personally know, saw, or heard, either voluntarily or under subpoena
Down
- 1. a judge agrees with an attorney’s objection during a trial or hearing, finding it valid under the rules of evidence. When an objection is sustained, the judge upholds the objection, preventing a witness from answering a question or excluding specific evidence
- 3. A document, photograph, object, animation, or other material device/item formally introduced as evidence in a legal proceeding.
- 4. Sum of money to release someone from jail until trial
- 5. A non-criminal legal process to resolve a dispute between private individuals, businesses, or organizations
- 6. A formal court process, initiated by a government prosecutor, to determine if an individual or entity has violated criminal law. It encompasses the entire sequence from investigation, arrest, and indictment to trial, sentencing, and potential appeals, aiming to impose penalties for established guilt
- 8. A lawyer who has the proper education and has passed their state bar exam
- 9. Person who accuses another of a crime
- 11. A court decision that is considered an authority for deciding subsequent cases that have similar facts
- 12. A formal, timely protest made by an attorney to a judge during a trial to prevent the admission of improper evidence, questions, or testimony
- 13. Person who presents evidence against the accused
- 15. A statement by a witness of what he or she heard someone else say (second hand evidence)
- 17. Members of the community who determine guilty or not guilty
- 18. The failure to behave with the level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under the same circumstances
- 20. An individual who has been either elected or appointed as a judicial officer to preside over court proceedings