20 Words

Pro Se

Representing yourself

Defendant

Party being accused for committing a crime

Felony

Serious crime that carries a jail term or more than one year

Misdemeanor

Minor crime punishable with fine or prison sentence of less than one year

Court Reporter

Transcriber who keeps a specific record of everything said in the court room

Court Interpreter

used to interpret languages when another party does not speak English

Grand Jury

Large jury deciding if there is enough evidence to charge defendant

Indicted

to bring a formal accusation against someone which means of bringing that person to trial

Bench Trial

A case that is not heard by a jury but is heard by a Judge alone

Brief

a written summery usually by the parties in the law suit

Plain-tiff

the person or party who files the complaint on a civil case

Settlement

an agreement reached by parties to resolve a dispute without going to trial.

Voir Dire

legal phrase from the French word “to tell the truth”

Hearsay

evidence presented by a witness who did not hear nor see the event in question by heard about it from someone else

Overruled

If an objection is overruled by a Jude the attorney can continue with the question and the witness can answer the question

Appellate

a party who files the appeal

Appellee

party defending against an appeal

Oral Argument

each party presents their arguments aloud to a panel of appellate judges

Physical Evidence

physical objects used to prove or disprove issues

Perjury

willfully providing false testimony under oath