March 21 Exam Flashcards
The _____________________ is the law that establishes the period during which a plaintiff must bring a lawsuit against a defendant.
statute of limitations
A person giving a deposition is called a
deponent
Another name for jury instructions is
jury charge
Papers filed with the court to initiate or respond to a lawsuit are called
pleadings
The initial pleading in state court is called
petition
The initial pleading in federal court is called a
complaint
A ___________________ is a court order directing the defendant to appear in court and answer.
summons
A chronology is a
time line
Name two dispositive pretrial motions:
motion to dismiss and motion for summary judgment
What does “dispositive” mean in that context?
To dispose all or part of the case before the trial
When lawyers speak to and with the jury panel prior to the selection of the jury, this is called
voir dire
The words that an attorney says to the seated jury at the start of the trial are
opening statements
The last words that an attorney says to the seated jury are called
closing arguments
What two things may take place in trial immediately after both sides rest?
rebuttal and rejoinder
Who reads the verdict in Texas state courts?
The court clerk