Key terms

Question 1

Defendant

Answer 1

The alleged wrongdoer

Question 2

Victim

Answer 2

The person who the defendant has committed the action against

Question 3

Lawyer

Answer 3

A person who practices or studies law. Examples are barristers and solicitors

Question 4

Barrister

Answer 4

A lawyer who specialises in advocacy and litigation

Question 5

Solicitor

Answer 5

A lawyer who specialises in giving legal advice

Question 6

Judge

Answer 6

Senior lawyer appointed to decide (depending on their role) the sentence in criminal cases and (sometimes) the facts and decisions in trials in civil cases

Question 7

Magistrate

Answer 7

A member of the public who has no legal qualification (lay person) but decides the facts, verdict and sentence in magistrates court in low to medium criminal acts

Question 8

Appeal

Answer 8

If either the defendant or victim is not happy with a decision in court, they may apply to a higher court to hear the case again, or give a different sentence

Question 9

Appellant

Answer 9

The person who is appealing to the higher court

Question 10

Appellate Court

Answer 10

Court where the appeal takes place there are no juries in these courts

Question 11

Court of First Instance

Answer 11

First go courts which hold the first hearing of trials

Question 12

Verdict/Held

Answer 12

The decision of guilty or not guilty/liable or not liable

Question 13

Actus Reus

Answer 13

The guilty act. For a crime to have been committed, this is a requirement (in most circumstances)

Question 14

Mens Rea

Answer 14

The mental element of a crime. Without this, the defendant cannot be guilty (in most circumstances)

Question 15

DPP (Director of Public Prosecutions)

Answer 15

The head of crown prosecution service they decide whether to prosecute the defendant

Question 16

Jury

Answer 16

12 members of the public who sit in the crown court

Question 17

Attorney General (AG)

Answer 17

The office above all DPP, they offer legal advice and send erroneous sentences and convictions to the appeal courts

Question 18

Acquit

Answer 18

To be found not guilty

Question 19

Quashed

Answer 19

When a defendant who was originally found guilty has been found not guilty on appeal

Question 20

Sentence

Answer 20

Punishment of a guilty party. It may be prison, but can be in form in a fine, rehabilitation order, community order etc

Question 21

Regina/Rex

Answer 21

The head of state. When a person commits a crime, they are committing it against the queen (or king’s) people, thus committing a crime against the queen (or king)