12 Angry Men Flashcards
Eyewitness testimony
A formal spoken or written statement that something is true, especially those given in a law court.
Defense Attorney
A lawyer defending the person on trial for a crime. Their role is to convince the jury that the defendant is not guilty.
Burden of proof
The responsibility of proving something. In the American (and Australian) criminal justice system, the prosecution bears the burden, that is, it is their responsibility to prove the defendant is guilty. The presumption is that the defendant is innocent.
Presumption of innocence
The presumption that the defendant standing on trial (for a crime they have been accused of) is innocent. This is where the saying ‘innocent until proven guilty’ comes from.
To prove something ‘beyond reasonable doubt’ is to say:
That there can be no doubt in the juror’s mind; the juror must vote not guilty if there is a reasonable doubt.
Constitution
The set of laws and principles by which a state or organisation is governed, especially in relation to the rights of the people it governs. E.g. the Constitution of Australia, the Football Federation of Australia Constitution.
Prosecution / Prosecutor / Prosecuting Attorney
The prosecution is the legal party responsible for presenting the case in a criminal trial against an individual accused of breaking the law. Typically, the prosecutor represents the government in the case brought against the accused person.
Unanimous decision
All twelve jurors need to agree on a verdict of guilty or not guilty.
Deliberate (verb)
To think about or discuss issues and decisions carefully.
Who has to prove that there is NO ‘reasonable doubt’ that the defendant committed the crime?
The prosecuting attorney (the lawyer trying to prove that the defendant is guilty).
Court verdict
The decision of ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’ delivered TO the judge, BY the jury.
