“A-B-C’s” of what you need to know for your mock trials! Courtroom Terms “A-B-C’s” of what you need to know for your mock trials!

Courtroom Terminology 2 Courtroom Terminology Criminal Case Court case involving a crime, or violation of public order Criminal law is primarily a state and local function National cases involving criminal acts are few Civil Case Court case that involves a private dispute arising from such matters as accidents, contractual, obligations, and divorce Stems from disputed claims of value

Arraignment~ You first visit to the court in your case Arraignment~ You first visit to the court in your case. You appear before a judge and enter a plea of guilty, not guilty, or no contest. Appeal~a review of your trial by a higher court to see if any mistakes were made that had an effect on the verdict.

Bailiff~ the Judge’s assistant in the courtroom who takes care of the paperwork and security. Bench Trial~ trial without a jury. The judge hears the case and passes judgment. Closing Argument~ the last opportunity you have to address the court in your case.  You need to argue the strengths of your case and the weaknesses of the prosecutor’s case.

Cross-Examination the opportunity for you and the prosecutor to ask questions of each other’s witnesses. Defendant~ the person charged with the crime(s) Direct Examination~ the opportunity to ask questions of your witness. You may not ask leading questions!! Hearsay~ Something you or someone else said not made during the trial.  Hearsay statements are not allowed to be used in court, however there are some exceptions.

Jury Selection~ the first part of the jury trial in which the prosecutor and defendant choose six people from a large group to serve as jurors for the trial. Jury Trial~ Trial that is held before a group of disinterested members of the community.  The judge decides the sentence. Leading Questions~ questions that either have the answer in the question or suggest the answer in the question.  Asking leading questions during direct examination is not allowed.

Prosecutor~ the lawyer who works for the Prosecutor’s Office as the representative for the State. Their job in criminal cases is to use evidence and witness testimony to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, that you, the defendant,  committed the crime(s) you are charged with committing. Objection~ a way to keep the other side from asking improper questions and giving improper answers. Opening Statement~ an outline of anticipated proof. Its purpose is to advise the jury prior to testimony of the facts relied upon and of issues involved; and to give the jury a general picture of the facts and the situations so that the jury will be able to understand the evidence.

Redirect Examination~ further questioning that takes place after the cross-examination of a witness.  You may only ask questions about subjects brought up during cross-examination. Verdict~ the guilty or not guilty judgment passed by the judge (or the jury in jury trial) after all of the evidence in the case has been presented. Sentence~ your punishment if you are found to be guilty of the charges. In City Court, sentences usually include a fine. Other punishments are jail time, probation, community service, and counseling. Testimony~ what the witnesses say when answer questions under oath.

MOCK TRIAL TIMELINE This timeline represents the time schedule which the mock trial judge will follow. If time runs short, each team’s closing statements and direct and cross examinations of witnesses may be cut short by the judge in order to allow the trial to conclude in a timely fashion. JUDGE’S ENTRANCE AND INSTRUCTIONS (2-3 minutes): Judge enters court, is introduced by bailiff, gives instructions to teams and jury. OPENING STATEMENTS (3 minutes each): Prosecution gives opening statement first, followed with the Defense giving their opening statement. PROSECUTION DIRECT EXAMINATION OF OWN WITNESSES (3-4 minutes for each witness or 16 minutes total): prosecution witnesses are called in order of importance and questioned. If questions take more time than prescribed, judge may elect to limit number of witnesses. DEFENSE CROSS EXAMINATION OF PROSECUTION WITNESSES (3-4 minutes for each witness or 16 minutes total): After each prosecution witness is questioned by prosecution, defense cross examines that witness.

Con’t DEFENSE DIRECT EXAMINATION OF OWN WITNESSES (3-4 minutes for each witness or 16 minutes total): Defense witnesses are called in order of importance and questioned. If questions take more time than prescribed, judge may elect to limit number of witnesses. PROSECUTION CROSS EXAMINATION OF DEFENSE WITNESSES (3-4 minutes for each witness or 16 minutes total): After each defense witness is questioned by defense, prosecution cross examines the witness. CLOSING STATEMENTS FIRST BY PROSECUTION AND, THEN, BY DEFENSE (3 minutes each): Prosecution should use their opening statement and witness answers to prove case. Defense should prove a reasonable doubt about guilt through presentation of prosecution case. JUDGE ASKS JURY TO SEQUESTER ITSELF AND DECIDE CASE (7 minutes)