Across
- 6. The legal system that originated in England and is now in use in the United States, which relies on the articulation of legal principles in a historical succession of judicial decisions.
- 12. The group of persons selected to hear the evidence in a trial and render a verdict on matters of fact.
- 13. An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a mistrial is declared, the trial must start again with the selection of a new jury.
- 16. A person or business that files a formal complaint with the court.
- 17. 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.
- 18. 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, generally this is not admissible as evidence at trial
- 19. A serious crime, usually punishable by at least one year in prison.
- 20. 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.
- 21. 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.
- 25. A court order preventing one or more named parties from taking some action. A preliminary injunction often is issued to allow fact-finding, so a judge can determine whether a permanent injunction is justified.
- 27. To separate. Sometimes juries are separated from outside influences during their deliberations.
- 28. 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.
- 29. 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.
- 30. A written statement that begins a civil lawsuit, in which the plaintiff details the claims against the defendant.
- 34. A person called upon by either side in a lawsuit to give testimony before the court or jury.
- 35. A proceeding in which a criminal defendant is brought into court, told of the charges in an indictment or information, and asked to plead guilty or not guilty.
- 36. Jury selection process of questioning prospective jurors, to ascertain their qualifications and determine any basis for challenge.
- 37. 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.
- 38. An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
- 40. The geographic area in which a court has jurisdiction.
- 41. A case, controversy, or lawsuit.
- 42. Instead of sending an individual to prison, the court releases the person to the community and orders him or her to complete a period of supervision and to abide by certain conditions.
- 44. Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest.
- 45. The duty to prove disputed facts.
- 46. A judgment of guilt against a criminal defendant.
Down
- 1. Latin, meaning "you have the body." A writ (a judicial order) forcing law enforcement authorities to produce a prisoner they are holding, and to justify the prisoner's continued confinement.
- 2. Evidence indicating that a defendant did not commit the crime.
- 3. A written or printed statement made under oath.
- 4. Evidence indicating that a defendant did commit the crime.
- 5. Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
- 6. A crime punishable by death.
- 7. A request by a litigant to a judge for a decision on an issue relating to the case.
- 8. 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.
- 9. The release of a prison inmate after the inmate has completed part of his or her sentence.
- 10. A request made after a trial by a party that has lost on one or more issues that a higher court review the decision to determine if it was correct.
- 11. The time within which a lawsuit must be filed or a criminal prosecution begun.
- 14. Legal advice; a term also used to refer to the lawyers in a case.
- 15. In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges.
- 16. Also known as a trial jury; a group of citizens who hear the evidence presented by both sides at trial and determine the facts in dispute.
- 22. An offense punishable by one year of imprisonment or less.
- 23. Attorney who tries a criminal case on behalf of the government
- 24. 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.
- 26. The release, prior to trial, of a person accused of a crime, under specified conditions designed to assure that person's appearance in court when required.
- 27. The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.
- 31. To charge someone with a crime.
- 32. A command, issued under a court's authority, to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- 33. A court decision in an earlier case with facts and legal issues similar to a dispute currently before a court.
- 37. An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
- 39. 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.
- 43. In a civil case, the person or organization against whom the plaintiff brings suit; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.