1. The Courtroom
The Basics

2. Quick Steps to get to the Courtroom... “APIA – TVS”
1. Arrest
2. Preliminary Hearing (charges are heard, bail is set)
3. Indictment - grand jury decides if there is enough evidence to charge with a crime
4. Arraignment (2nd Pre Hearing) - defendant pleads guilty (plea bargain) or not guilty

3. If defendant pleads not guilty...
5. Trial date is set and trial is conducted
6. Petit jury decides the verdict
7. Judge sentences the convicted
Convicted can apply for an appeal

4. Terms to Know...
Bail - money used to help get a defendant out of jail until their trial date
Judge - keeps order and determines sentencing
Bailiff - a court officer who keeps peace, looks after prisoners, etc...
Prosecution - always represented by an agency (local, state, federal) and charges the defendant of a crime
Plaintiff - represented by an individual who is in a dispute with the defendant, such as a lawsuit (civil case)
Defendant - self explanatory
Witness - self explanatory

5. Terms to Know...
Opening Statement - conducted by both the prosecution and defense lawyers where facts are presented and lawyers lay out what they are going to present for the jury
Cross Examination - the process where each lawyer questions the others witness, purpose is to cast doubt on the testimony of the witness
Closing Statement - a summarization of the trial and facts by each lawyer in the case; each side recaps the strengths of their side and the weaknesses of the other

6. Casey Anthony’s Defense Attorneys Opening Statements..

7. Casey Anthony’s Defense Attorney’s Closing Statements

8. Terms to Know... Acquitted - not guilty Convicted - found guilty
Hung Jury - jury cannot reach a decision
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (criminal) - jury must be 100% sure of their decision
Preponderance of Evidence (civil) - jury only has to be 51% sure of their decision
Appeal - to review the case again at a higher court

9. NC State Court Structure
Trial courts: Use juries. Judge decides punishment.
NC has two types:
District courts: for misdemeanors, divorces, juvenile law, traffic violations, less than $10,000
Superior courts: for felonies, more than $10,000
Appellate courts: Panel of judges. Appellate jurisdiction.
State Supreme Court: Highest level. NC has 7 judges on its Supreme Court.
Magistrates: a judicial officer that can handle several issues such as: issue warrants, setting bail, accept guilty pleas, accept payments for fines.

10. Federal Court Structure

11. Your Assignment...
Create a story of any sorts (use a fairy tale if you need help thinking of a storyline) that uses ALL of the following words in the correct context
Arrest
Bail
Preliminary Hearing
Grand Jury
Indictment
Arraignment
Trial
Bailiff
Judge
Prosecution or Plaintiff
Defense
Witness
Testimony
Opening Statements
Cross Examination
Closing Statements
Petit Jury
Verdict
Sentencing
Acquitted or Convicted
“Beyond a Reasonable Doubt” OR
“Preponderance of Evidence”
Appeal