ELA mock trial vocab

• Judge

The official who oversees the trial and makes legal decisions

Attorney / Lawyer

a person who argues the case for one side

Prosecutor

the attorney who tries to prove the defendant is guilty

• Defense Attorney

• the attorney who represents the defendant

• Party- 

• one of the people or groups involved in the lawsuit 

• Defendant –

• the person accused of a crime

• Plaintiff –

• the person bringing a case (usually in civil trials)

Witness

• a person who gives testimony about what they know

• Jury –

• a group of people who decide the verdict

• Bailiff –

• the court officer who maintains order

Clerk-

person who helps the court by keeping records, organizing paperwork, and making sure everything runs smoothly during cases

• Trial –

• a formal examination of evidence in court

closing statement

• the final summary meant to persuade the jury

Testimony

– statements made by witnesses under oath

cross examination

• questioning a witness from the opposing side

• Direct Examination –

• questioning your own witness

objection

– a protest that a rule is being broken

• Sustain –

• when the judge agrees with an objection

• Overrule –

• – when the judge disagrees with an objection

recess

a short break in the trial

• Statute-

law

case law

• the collection of past court decisions that judges use to help decide new cases  (like examples or rules made from previous trials)

evidence

exhibit

• a specific piece of evidence shown in court

testify

• to speak under oath in court

oath

• a promise to tell the truth

credible

believable or trustworthy

• Inconsistent –

• not matching or contradicting earlier statements

circumstantial evidence

• evidence that suggests something indirectly

direct evidence

evidence that proves a fact directly

• Claim –

• a statement that one side is trying to prove

argument

• reasons given to support a claim

burden of proof

• the responsibility to prove a case

verdict

• the jury’s final decision

reasonable doubt

• a logical reason to question guilt

bias

• unfair preference or prejudice

motive

a reason someone might commit an action

inference

a conclusion based on evidence and reasoning