The courtroom Work Group trial and the criminal trial

evidence

(law) all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated at judicial trial is established or disproved

trial

(law) legal proceedings consisting of the judicial examination of issues by a competent tribunal

speedy trial act

A 1974 federal law requiring that proceedings against a defendant in a criminal case begin within a specified period of time, such as 70 working days after indictment

change of venue

A change of venue is a legal term that means that a case before a court will be heard in another jurisdiction versus the one where the said crime took place. This is done when there is a reason to think that a defendant will not receive a fair trial, for whatever the reason.

sequestered jury

A jury that is isolated from the public during the course of a trial and throughout the deliberation process.

defense counsel

A licensed trial lawyer hired or appointed to conduct the legal defense of a person accused of a crime and to represent him or her before a court of law.

hearsay rule

A rule of evidence that restricts the admissibility of evidence that is not the personal knowledge of the witness

opening statement

A statement made by the lawyer for each side at the beginning of a trial, in which each lawyer outlines the case he or she intends to present

adversarial system

A system of justice in which advocates for opposing parties each do their best to present evidence and arguments to the benefit of their respective clients; presiding judges are neutral and passive.

lay witness

A witness who can truthfully and accurately testify on a fact in question without having specialized training or knowledge; an ordinary witness.

closing argument

Allows each attorney to summarize the evidence and suggests reasons why the judge or jury should find in favor of his or her client

public defender

An attorney employed by the government to represent criminal defendants who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer.

real evidence

Evidence that consists of physical material or traces of physical activity

circumstantial evidence

Indirect evidence that is offered to establish, by inference, the likelihood of a fact that is in question

rules of evidence

Rules governing the admissibility of evidence in trial courts.

prosecutorial discretion

The decision-making power of prosecutors, based on the wide range of choices available to them, in the handling of criminal defendants, the scheduling of cases for trial, the acceptance of negotiated pleas, and so on. The most important form of prosecutorial discretion lies in the power to charge, or not to charge, a person with an offense.

probative value

The degree to which a particular item of evidence is useful in, and relevant to, proving something important in a trial

scientific jury selection

The use of correlational techniques from the social sciences to gauge the likelihood that potential jurors will vote for conviction or for acquittal

juror

a person who is a member of a jury that listens to both sides of a law case in a courtroom to decide if the defendant is guilty or innocent

judge

a public official authorized to decide questions bought before a court of justice

prosecutor

an attorney whose official duty is to conduct criminal proceedings on behalf of the state or the people against those accused of having committed criminal offenses.

bailiff

an officer of the court who is employed to execute writs and processes and make arrests etc.

subpoena

an order for a person to appear and to produce documents or other requested materials

victims assistance program

an organized program that offers services to victims of crime in the areas of crisis intervention and follow-up counseling and that helps victims secure their rights under the law.

exculpatory evidence

any information having a tendency to clear a person of guilt or blame

hearsay

heard through another rather than directly

perjury

lying under oath

expert witness

one who has special training, experience, or skill in a relevant area and is allowed by the court to offer an opinion on some issue within that area of expertise

direct evidence

testimony given by a witness who has seen or heard the facts to which he or she testifies. Eye-witness testimony or physical evidence would be acceptable in a court of law. Hearsay (rumor/gossip) does not qualify as legitimate evidence.

verdict

the decision reached at the end of a trial

jury selection

the process whereby, according to law and precedent, members of a particular trial jury are choosen

courtroom work group

the professional courtroom actors, including judges, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, public defenders, and others who earn a living serving the court.

peremptory challenge

the right of a lawyer during jury selection to have a potential juror dismissed without having to give a reason

testimony

the statement or declaration of a witness under oath or affirmation, usually in court