Law #5

Empanelling

creating the jury pool

peremptory challenge

exclusion of a potential juror without need for reason or an explanation

challenge for cause

usually based on the belief that the juror is biased

Oath

promise to tell the truth

Hung jury

jury can’t reach a unanimous decision

sequester

to isolate a jury until a decision is reached

Circumstantial evidence

indirect evidence that attempts to link the accused to the crime through circumstance and physical evidence

Subpoena

document that order a person to go to court as a witness

Perjury

giving false information in court

Voir dire

hearing within a hearing to determine admissibility of evidence

Duress

Crime was committed due to threats of danger (forces to commit crime)

double jeopardy

cannot be tried for same crime twice

Exculpatory statement

deny the charge

Similar fact evidence

Autre Fois Aquit

A person should not be convicted of an offence for which the person was formerly acquitted

stay of proceedings

A ruling by a court to stop or suspend a proceeding or trial temporarily or indefinitely.