intro to law

criminal law

the opposition is the prosecutor to the defendant

prosecutor

the job to make sure that they have the right person and have to prove their case at a high level

burden of proof

a high level on where a case must be proven

civil law

the plaintiff is the person who accuses and has to prove by a preponderance of evidence (citizen v citizen case)

inquistorial system

used in Great Britian and judge takes a very active role in questioning the witness

adversary system

used in the Unitied States, judge is seen as a natural entity and abritator bewteen the sides, and attorney takes an active role

vor dire

the process of questioning the jury

dismiss for cause

terminated for misconduct or sufficent reason

dismiss for peremptory challenge

the exclusion of a potential juror without the need for any reason or explanation

billable hours

hours worked by an employee for an employer that are billable to the employer client (civil and criminal)

retainer

fee paid upront by the client to secure the services of an attorney

contingency

a sum of money that a lawyer recieves as a fee only if the case is won