Criminal Trials and Plea Bargains

Flashcards covering key concepts and terms related to criminal trials, plea bargains, jury processes, and legal definitions.

Plea Bargain

An agreement in which a prosecutor offers fewer charges in exchange for a guilty plea.

Allocution

A formal statement made by the defendant in court, presented to the judge.

Discovery

The formal process to reveal information from both sides in a legal case.

Motion to Suppress

A pre-trial motion requesting that certain evidence be excluded from trial.

Voir Dire

The process of questioning potential jurors to assess their suitability.

Peremptory Challenge

The right to dismiss a juror without stating a reason.

Impartial Jury

A jury that is unbiased and fair, as required by the Sixth Amendment.

Sequestration of Witnesses

An order preventing witnesses from being in the courtroom during testimonies.

Legal Guilt

The determination made by the prosecutor that a defendant is guilty.

Factual Guilt

Whether or not the defendant actually committed the crime.

Direct Evidence

Proof that does not require any interpretation or inference.

Circumstantial Evidence

Evidence that requires interpretation to connect it to the fact in question.

Hearsay

Testimony based on what others have said, not directly witnessed by the speaker.

Dying Declaration

A statement made by a dying person regarding the cause of their death.

Cross Examination

The process of questioning a witness by the opposing party.

Jury Deliberation

The process by which a jury discusses and decides on the verdict.

Hung Jury

A jury that cannot reach a unanimous decision, resulting in a mistrial.

Jury Nullification

The ability of a jury to acquit a defendant, disregarding the law.

Double Jeopardy

The legal principle that a person cannot be tried twice for the same crime.