Our Legal System: Glossary Flashcards
defendant
the party in a civil or criminal trial against whom an action has been brought
homicide
the killing of one person by another person
magistrate
a court official who hears cases in the lowest court of the legal system
manslaughter
the accidental killing of one person by another
plaintiff
the person who commences a legal action
prosecute
to take legal actions against another person
appeal
an application for a legal decision to be reviewed in a higher court
committal hearing
hearing in the magistrates court to decide wether there is enough evidence to send a person to trial on an indictable (serious) offence
preside
to act as the person in control (e,g as chair of meeting)
verdict
the outcome of a legal case, decided by a jury or if no jury is present, by the judge.
bail
payment made by the accused as a guarantee they will appear in court at a later date, in order to be released from remand.
charge
the offence you are charged with
evidence
information that can be used in court
remand
when the accused person is held in custody until their trial
adversarial system
system of trial
in which the prosecution and defence argue their case and the judge or magistrate acts as an independent umpire
