Legal Terms Chapter 6 - Pretrial Hearing and Jury Trial

Question 1

Pretrial hearing

Answer 1

A hearing before a judge prior to a trial, attended by the attorneys, for the purpose of speeding up a trial.

Question 2

Motion in limine

Answer 2

A pretrial motion asking the court to prohibit the introduction of prejudicial evidence by the other party.

Question 3

Limine

Answer 3

At the threshold.

Question 4

Bench trial

Answer 4

A trial without a jury; also called a jury waived trial.

Question 5

Jury

Answer 5

A group of people, called jurors, selected according to law and sworn to determine the facts of the case.

Question 6

Petit jury

Answer 6

The ordinary jury of 6 to 12 people, used for the trial of a criminal or civil action.

Question 7

Jury pool

Answer 7

The large group of people from which a jury is selected for trial; also called an array, jury panel, and venire.

Question 8

Writ of venire facias

Answer 8

A written order to cities and towns to provide a designated number of jurors for the next sitting of the court.

Question 9

Alderpeople

Answer 9

People elected to serve as members of the legislative body of a city.

Question 10

Selectpeople

Answer 10

People elected to serve as the chief administrative authority of a town.

Question 11

Exemptions

Answer 11

Items of property that are excepted from bankruptcy proceedings and may be retained by the debtor.

Question 12

One day-one trial jury system

Answer 12

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.

Question 13

Impaneled

Answer 13

Listed as members of the jury that are ready to hear the trial.

Question 14

Alternate jurors

Answer 14

Additional jurors impaneled in case of sickness or removal of any of the regular jurors who are deliberating.

Question 15

Foreperson

Answer 15

The presiding member of a jury who speaks for the group.

Question 16

Talespeople

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

Indifferent

Answer 17

Impartial, unbiased, and disinterested.

Question 18

Voir dire

Answer 18

To speak the truth; the examination of jurors by the court to see that they stand indifferent.

Question 19

Challenge

Answer 19

To call or put into question.

Question 20

Challenge to the array

Answer 20

A challenge to the entire jury because of some irregularity in the selection of the jury; also called motion to quash the array.

Question 21

Challenges for cause

Answer 21

A challenge of a juror made when it is believed that the juror does not stand indifferent; no limit on the number of these.

Question 22

Peremptory challenge

Answer 22

A challenge for which no reason need be given; state law dictates the max number of these.

Question 23

Rape

Answer 23

At common law, the unlawful, forcible carnal knowledge by a man of a woman against her will or without her consent.