Across
- 3. Type of court that decide more than 95 percent of the nation’s legal cases; can handle cases which may appeal all the way to the federal court level if a federal issue is involved; are divided into trial courts and appellate courts
- 7. Type of court considered a reviewing court and determine appeals from the decisions of the trial courts; are generally called Supreme Courts of the State as they are the highest level of court system within a state
- 9. Series of formal, written statements in which the plaintiff and defendant both state claims for defense regarding the matter being disputed
- 12. argument between the two parties in regards to which legal rules apply to the facts stated in the pleading (3 words)
- 13. agreement between the plaintiff and the defendant to end the dispute
- 14. court officer responsible for giving out subpoenas, escorting defendants from jail to the courtroom, representing the jury to the judge and protecting safety of all in the courtroom
- 16. party denying or defending against allegations made by the plaintiff
- 19. attorney who is hired or appointed by the state or federal government to represent the plaintiff or the state
- 21. Type of dispute between two or more parties consisting of the first party, or plaintiff, accusing the second party, or defendant, of causing injury or damage to the plaintiff; reasonable doubt is not required
- 23. Type of court that hears all criminal cases other than minor offenses; can also be called county, district, superior, circuit or common pleas courts; keep thorough formal records of proceedings in order to have documentation if needed for appeals; do not have a limitation on the dollar amount of damages
- 24. Reporter records the official record of the trial; these word-for-word transcripts are used in appeals (2 words)
- 25. officer in charge of the court proceeding; ensures all evidence used in the trial is legal, instructs the jury and typically provides the sentence when a defendant is convicted
Down
- 1. process of choosing potential jurors by disqualifying biased people who cannot be neutral or fair (2 words)
- 2. Type of case where law has been broken requiring the state to bring charges against the offender; there must not be any reasonable doubt of guilt
- 4. first official court appearance for the defendant; used to inform defendant of official criminal charges, take defendants plea, negotiate bail if necessary and set up dates for further proceedings
- 5. represents the defendant and ensures the defendant is protected according to the law
- 6. Type of civil case involving a limited amount of money; only allow damages of up to $3,000 to be recovered (2 words)
- 8. party initiating a lawsuit against an organization or individual
- 10. includes the right of each party to obtain and present witnesses and evidence (such as documents and physical objects)
- 11. jury’s final decision based on all of the facts and evidence presented in the trial
- 15. argument between the two parties regarding the events which took place and caused the lawsuit to arise (3 words)
- 17. transfer of a case from a lower to a higher level for a new hearing
- 18. responsible for deciding what is true in a case and in a criminal case, deciding whether or not the defendant has committed a crime
- 20. to be released from criminal charges
- 22. person against whom a crime has been committed