Courtroom Work Group & The Criminal Trial

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to the courtroom work group and the criminal trial process.

Courtroom Work Group

A group of professional courtroom participants, including judges, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, and others who earn a living serving the court.

Judge

An elected or appointed public official who holds ultimate authority in the courtroom and ensures justice and the rights of all parties.

Bailiff

An officer of the court responsible for maintaining order in the courtroom and providing security.

Clerk of the Court

A courthouse employee who maintains all records of criminal cases and prepares jury pools and summonses.

Expert Witness

A person with specialized knowledge or skills recognized by the court who may express opinions in their area of expertise during testimony.

Lay Witness

A non-expert who testifies only to facts and does not express opinions in court.

Prosecuting Attorney

The primary representative of the state responsible for presenting the case against the defendant.

Defense Counsel

An attorney trained in criminal law who represents the accused and ensures their rights are protected.

Victim

The person against whom a crime has allegedly been committed, whose interests are represented by the prosecutor.

Juror

An individual selected to serve as a member of a jury that hears evidence and renders a verdict.

Subpoena

An order issued by a court requiring an individual to appear in court and give testimony.

Voir Dire

The preliminary examination of a witness or juror by a judge or counsel.

Peremptory Challenge

A means of excluding a juror without needing to provide a reason.

Prosecutorial Discretion

The decision-making power of prosecutors in handling cases and determining charges.

Testimony

Oral evidence provided by a sworn witness during a trial.

Closing Arguments

An oral summary of a case made to the jury or judge by the prosecution or defense at the end of a trial.

Verdict

A formal decision made by a jury or judge on the charges in a trial.

Hung Jury

A jury that cannot reach a unanimous decision.