Law Terms

Question 1

object

Answer 1

to disagree “I object!”

Question 2

sustain

Answer 2

agree with an objection (support or uphold)

Question 3

bailiff

Answer 3

keeps order and looks after the prisoner while in court (basically police officer or security)

Question 4

overrule

Answer 4

to disagree with an objection (or reject)

Question 5

Miranda Rights

Answer 5

The right to remain silent. The right to consult with an attorney and have the attorney present during questioning,

Question 6

testimony

Answer 6

evidence/declaration from the witness

Question 7

subpoena

Answer 7

A subpoena is a legal document that commands a person or entity to testify as a witness at a specified time and place (at a deposition, trial, or other hearing), and/or to produce documents or other tangible objects in a legal proceeding. Subpoenas are time-sensitive with court-imposed deadlines.

Question 8

summon

Answer 8

a form prepared by the plaintiff and issued by a court that informs the defendant that they are being sued or are required to appear in court. It may be served by a sheriff or other authorized person, such as the process server.

Question 9

admissible

Answer 9

if evidence is valid in the eyes of the court

Question 10

bench

Answer 10

where the judge sits, must ask permission to approach this

Question 11

appeal

Answer 11

when someone who loses a case in a trial court asks a higher court (the appellate court) to review the trial court’s decision (thinks your trial was unfair)

Question 12

clerk

Answer 12

record keeper of the court

Question 13

ex post facto

Answer 13

A law which punishes people for a crime that was not a crime when it was committed. (Congress cannot pass these laws)

Question 14

Statute of Limitations

Answer 14

when the deadline to file a lawsuit is missed
(a law passed by a legislative body to set the maximum time after an event within which legal proceedings may be initiated)

Question 15

double jeopardy

Answer 15

prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for substantially the same crime
(tried for the same crime twice)

Question 16

minor

Answer 16

person under the age of 18

Question 17

probable cause

Answer 17

reasonable grounds (for making a search, arresting, etc)

Question 18

plea bargain

Answer 18

plead guilty to a lesser charge, maybe getting a lighter punishment

Question 19

burden of proof

Answer 19

a legal standard that requires parties to provide evidence to demonstrate that a claim is valid.

Question 20

witness

Answer 20

person who saw the crime scene occur

Question 21

case

Answer 21

to compile evidence that supports a charge against someone

Question 22

guilty

Answer 22

committing a crime and being responsible for it

Question 23

circumstantial

Answer 23

bad evidence (hearsay/questionable)

Question 24

prosecution

Answer 24

the act or process of holding a trial against a person who is accused of a crime to see if that person is guilty

Question 25

sequestered

Answer 25

isolate

Question 26

sentence

Answer 26

punishment

Question 27

trial

Answer 27

a structured process where the facts of a case are presented to a jury, and they decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty of the charge offered

Question 28

civil rights

Answer 28

guarantees of equal social opportunities and protection under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics

Question 29

jury

Answer 29

a group of people empowered to make findings of fact and render a verdict for a trial (12)

Question 30

indicted

Answer 30

charged of crime

Question 31

hung jury

Answer 31

jury that is unable to reach a verdict

Question 32

deliberate

Answer 32

the action of analyzing or carefully considering the evidence, facts, the law, or other matters

Question 33

foreman

Answer 33

leader of the jury

Question 34

reasonable doubt

Answer 34

a doubt based upon reason and common sense and is not based purely on speculation

Question 35

evidence

Answer 35

an item or information proffered to make the existence of a fact more or less probable

Question 36

cross examined

Answer 36

other side examining you

Question 37

verdict

Answer 37

result of case or decision

Question 38

convict

Answer 38

criminal, found guilty of a crime

Question 39

justice

Answer 39

moral rightness

Question 40

arrested

Answer 40

seize by legal authority and taken into custody

Question 41

innocent

Answer 41

not guilty of a crime

Question 42

judge

Answer 42

elected official in charge of the trial, sets bail

Question 43

bail

Answer 43

the amount of money defendants must post to be released from custody until their trial

Question 44

remanded

Answer 44

held in custody or sent back

Question 45

defense

Answer 45

an act of protecting one's interest (opposite of prosecution)

Question 46

motive

Answer 46

the main driving force behind doing something

Question 47

defense attorney

Answer 47

an attorney representing a defendant