1. Cookie Court

2. Courtroom

3. The Judge
The judge makes rulings about the law.

4. The Jury The jury makes decisions about facts and reaches a verdict
The Jury The jury makes decisions about facts and reaches a verdict. Usually 12 people are on a jury.

5. Presumption of Innocence
The fact that a criminal charge has been filed against the defendant is not evidence that the charge is true.
You must not be biased against the defendant just because he/she has been arrested, charged with a crime, or brought to trial.

6. Burden of Proof
The plaintiff or prosecution has the job of proving which facts are true.
In a criminal trial, the prosecution must prove the defendant is guilty, beyond a reasonable doubt.
If the jurors do not believe, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the defendant is guilty, they must find him not guilty.

7. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Standard of Proof for Criminal Trials
Proof beyond a reasonable doubt is proof that leaves you with an abiding conviction that the charge is true.
The evidence need not eliminate all possible doubt because everything in life is open to some possible or imaginary doubt.

8. Why do criminal trials have such a high standard of proof?

9. Juvenile Trials No jury in juvenile cases
Juveniles cannot go to state prison unless they commit very serious offenses
Juveniles can go to Juvenile Hall or the Department of Juvenile Justice

10. Trial Procedure Jury selection Evidentiary motions Opening statements
Direct examination of witnesses
Cross-examination of witnesses
Redirect and re-cross examinations
Jury Instructions
Closing Arguments
Jury Deliberations
Verdict (guilty, not guilty, or a hung jury)

11. More Legal Terms Exhibit: an object of evidence
Oath: a witness must swear to tell the truth. Lying in court is called perjury, which is a crime.
Hearsay: what someone else said. Hearsay is generally not allowed in a trial.

12. How to become a Judge or Lawyer
Graduate from high school
Graduate from college
Graduate from law school
Pass the Bar Exam
Graduate from high school
Graduate from college
Graduate from law school
Pass the Bar Exam
Get appointed OR elected

13. The Bailiff Sheriff’s Deputy Controls the courtroom and ensures safety
Graduate high school
Have a “clean record”
Have a driver’s license
Go through training

14. Courtroom Clerk Documents everything that happens in the case
Marks exhibits
Swears in witnesses
Must be well-organized
Must know courtroom language

15. Court Reporter Types every word that is said – in shorthand
Graduate from high school
Take a certification course
Be a good listener
Have very good spelling, punctuation, and grammar skills

16. Prosecutor
District Attorney’s Office – represents The People of the State of California
A prosecutor is usually a Deputy District Attorney
The prosecution presents its case before the defense

17. Defense Attorney Often from the Public Defender’s Office
Can also be privately hired
Defense case goes after prosecution case
Defense need not present any evidence

18. Witnesses Must take an oath to tell the truth
Can be ordered to testify (subpoena)
Cannot be in courtroom until called

19. Jurors’ Duties
Do not form an opinion until hearing all of the evidence
Do not discuss the case with anyone
Follow the judge’s instructions on the law
Elect a foreperson and vote

20. Appeals
The losing party has the right to appeal the case to the Court of Appeal.
There are only six Courts of Appeal for all of California
The Court of Appeal reverses the judgment in only a small percentage of cases

21. Supreme Court
There is a California Supreme Court and a United States Supreme Court
The Supreme Courts choose which cases to hear
They usually choose important cases or cases in which the Courts of Appeal disagree

22. California Supreme Court

23. United States Supreme Court

24. Courtroom/Courthouse Rules
No running
No shouting/loud noises
Do not touch anything in the courtroom except the props
Stay in the courtroom during the entire trial
Be on your best behavior!

25. Practice Your Scripts!
But do not tell any of your classmates about the trial! The jurors and journalists will hear the evidence for the first time when we go to court.

26. Roles for Our Trial
Bailiff Judge Clerk Paul Prosecutor Darinda Defender Vicky Victim Deputy Katherine Krumpky Tammy Taster Ronald Rodent Danny Defendant Dr. Veronica Victim

27. Jurors

28. Journalists
News reporters: Photographer: