Legal Terms Chapter 6 - Pretrial Hearing and Jury Trial Flashcards
Pretrial hearing
A hearing before a judge prior to a trial, attended by the attorneys, for the purpose of speeding up a trial.
Motion in limine
A pretrial motion asking the court to prohibit the introduction of prejudicial evidence by the other party.
Limine
At the threshold.
Bench trial
A trial without a jury; also called a jury waived trial.
Jury
A group of people, called jurors, selected according to law and sworn to determine the facts of the case.
Petit jury
The ordinary jury of 6 to 12 people, used for the trial of a criminal or civil action.
Jury pool
The large group of people from which a jury is selected for trial; also called an array, jury panel, and venire.
Writ of venire facias
A written order to cities and towns to provide a designated number of jurors for the next sitting of the court.
Alderpeople
People elected to serve as members of the legislative body of a city.
Selectpeople
People elected to serve as the chief administrative authority of a town.
Exemptions
Items of property that are excepted from bankruptcy proceedings and may be retained by the debtor.
One day-one trial jury system
A system designed to provide the courts with juries consisting of fair cross-sections of the community and to reduce the burden of jury duty on certain classes of citizens.
Impaneled
Listed as members of the jury that are ready to hear the trial.
Alternate jurors
Additional jurors impaneled in case of sickness or removal of any of the regular jurors who are deliberating.
Foreperson
The presiding member of a jury who speaks for the group.
Talespeople
Bystanders or people from the county at large chosen by the court to act as jurors when there are not enough people left on the venire.
Indifferent
Impartial, unbiased, and disinterested.
Voir dire
To speak the truth; the examination of jurors by the court to see that they stand indifferent.
Challenge
To call or put into question.
Challenge to the array
A challenge to the entire jury because of some irregularity in the selection of the jury; also called motion to quash the array.
Challenges for cause
A challenge of a juror made when it is believed that the juror does not stand indifferent; no limit on the number of these.
Peremptory challenge
A challenge for which no reason need be given; state law dictates the max number of these.
Rape
At common law, the unlawful, forcible carnal knowledge by a man of a woman against her will or without her consent.
