Legal Vocab

Question 1

Clerk

Answer 1

An officer of the court who keeps a record of the trial and the testimonies

Question 2

Testimonies

Answer 2

statement(s) of fact given by witnesses before a court

Question 3

Counsel

Answer 3

to give advice or help, it can also be another word for lawyer

Question 4

Cross Examination

Answer 4

Counsel (lawyer) question a witness already questioned by the opposing counsel

Question 5

Defendant

Answer 5

the person who is charged with the crime

Question 6

Defense

Answer 6

the defendant and the lawyer who makes a case in favor of the defendant

Question 7

Deliberate

Answer 7

when the members of a jury or a panel of judges carefully consider the facts

Question 8

Direct examination

Answer 8

Counsel questions his/her own witnesses

Question 9

Foreperson

Answer 9

the lead member of the jury who keeps deliberation moving effectively and announces the verdict to the court

Question 10

Hung Jury

Answer 10

a jury that is unable to agree on a verdict

our jury will reach a decision together

Question 11

Indictment

Answer 11

a criminal charge brought against a person

Question 12

Intent

Answer 12

to do something on purpose or willfully

Question 13

Judge

Answer 13

an official person who hears and decides cases brought before a court of law

Question 14

Lawyer

Answer 14

a person who gives legal advice and represents people in court proceedings

Question 15

Murder

Answer 15

the intentional killing of another person

Question 16

Prosecution

Answer 16

a lawyer appointed by the state to assure that justice is done by representing the state (also called the district attorney; prosecution is opposing the defense counsel’s case)

Question 17

Sentence

Answer 17

punishment given to a person who is found guilty by the court

Question 18

Summation

Answer 18

the final argument or case summary that is given to the court by the opposing counsels (both sides give a summation)

Question 19

Bailiff

Answer 19

an officer of the court who helps the judge control the people in the courtroom

Question 20

Verdict

Answer 20

the decision, based on evidence presented during the trial, reached by the jury at the end of the trial

Question 21

Witness

Answer 21

someone who has seen something pertinent to the case and is called to testify before a court

Question 22

Over-ruled

Answer 22

To decide that (something or someone) is wrong; to rule against something or someone

Question 23

Sustained

Answer 23

To allow or admit as valid