Can I go to the bank? Can I ask for the court's leniency for a moment? Can I call my first witness? Can I talk to a witness (the blackboard, etc.)? Find definitions of legal terms to help me understand the federal court system. You may be familiar with some of the most commonly used terms in court, such as testimony, objection, cross-examination, negotiation with the guilty plea, and circumstantial evidence. But have you ever been baffled by the legal jargon you hear in episodes of your favorite court shows? Or maybe you suddenly realize that you don't really know the full meaning of some of the judicial terms you've been so fond of. used to listening.
A plea presented to the court before trial by the defendant in a civil case to answer or deny the plaintiff's claims. A response to the lawsuit in which the defendant claims to be entitled to compensation for damages or other relief from the plaintiff. Parties: plaintiffs and defendants (petitioners and defendants) in lawsuits, also known as appellants and appellants in appeals, and their attorneys. The judge's decision that a lawyer's objection is not well received in accordance with the rules of development of the trial.
Questions that a lawyer asks the opposing party or the witness to see if the person is telling the truth. Voir dire: process by which judges and lawyers select a small jury from among those who are eligible to perform their functions, questioning them to determine if they know the facts of the case and if they are willing to decide the case solely on the basis of the evidence presented to the court. Attorney (or federal prosecutor): Attorney appointed by the president in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases on behalf of the federal government. Pro se: Latin term that means in their own name; in court, it refers to people who file their own cases without a lawyer.
Before presenting any evidence in the case, an attorney tells the jury what the case is about and what evidence is expected to be presented to prove that side of the case. An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to respond to questions from judges. Discovery: Examination by lawyers, before trial, of the facts and documents held by opponents to help them prepare for trial. Oral argument: opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court in an appeal and also to respond to judges' questions.
Pre-trial conference: Meeting of the judge and lawyers to discuss what issues should be presented to the jury, review evidence and witnesses, set a schedule, and discuss the solution of the case. Meeting of the judge and lawyers to plan the trial, discuss what issues should be presented to the jury, review the proposed evidence and witnesses, and set the trial schedule. Once all the evidence has been presented and the attorneys have presented their arguments, the judge outlines the issues that need to be decided and the issues you must decide. An attorney appointed by the president in each judicial district to prosecute and defend cases on behalf of the federal government.
After hearing all the evidence of a lawsuit by both parties, attorneys tell the jury what they think the evidence demonstrates and why they believe the jury should rule in favor of their client.