Vocabulary - Twelve Angry Men/Jurors

Criminal Justice - May 2023

impartial (adj)

Having no prejudice or bias.

counsel (n)

A lawyer or attorney

prosecution (n)

The side in a court case that brings charges against a defendant, typically led by a prosecutor.

testimony (n)

The statement or declaration of a witness under oath

perjury (n)

Lying while under oath

motive (n)

Something that causes a person to act in a certain way

alibi (n)

An excuse for where a person was when a crime happened.

defendant (n)

A person, company, etc. who is accused of a crime and taken to court for trial

burden of proof (n)

The obligation of the prosecutor to establish a fact by proof not just by saying it happened or accusing the defendant of something.

circumstantial evidence (n)

Evidence that requires an inference to connect to a conclusion or fact (does not directly show something happened).

premeditated (adj)

Considered and planned before someone does something

discrepancy (n)

A fault or error between conflicting facts or claims

to plead the Fifth (v)

In the USA, using the 5th Amendment of the US Constitution that protects the rights of accused citizens to legally refuse to testify or answer a question. When an individual takes the Fifth, silence or refusal to answer questions cannot be used against the person in a criminal case.

double jeopardy (n)

The legal concept that no one can be tried or punished more than once for the same crime.

unanimous (adj)

In complete agreement, with everyone agreed.

preliminary (adj)

Preceding before the main part; introductory or initial

reasonable doubt (n)

Rule that the jurors can only find the defendant guilty if they are convinced of guilt without any doubt.

coroner (n)

A public official who investigates any death that might not be due to natural causes. Often this person will have advanced medical or scientific education.

abstain (v)

To choose NOT to do something, such as to abstain from smoking or abstain from voting either yes or no when people vote on something.

foreman / forewoman / foreperson (n)

The person who heads and speaks for the jury, leading and guiding the process of jury discussion and voting.

deliberate (v)

to consider carefully

verdict (n)

The jury's final decision

acquit (v)

To declare "not guilty" (found innocent).

hung jury (n)

A jury that cannot agree on a verdict. In the USA, a hung jury would result in needing to try the case again with a different jury using different jurors.

monopolize (v)

to take exclusive control of something such as a conversation or a market for a product.

sadist (n)

A person who gets pleasure from inflicting pain on others.

antagonize (v)

To make someone become hostile or unfriendly

bigot (n)

A person who is intolerant of a different group, race, religion, or belief

belligerent (adj)

Hostile or angry

naive (adj)

Having or showing a lack of judgment or experience

defence (n)

The side in a court case that defends the defendant against the charges brought against the defendant.

jury (n)

A body of citizens sworn to give a true verdict according to the evidence presented in a court of law.

juror (n)

A person who is a member of a jury that listens to both sides of a law case in a courtroom to decide if the defendant is guilty or innocent.

oath (n)

A solemn and formal promise, often invoking God as a witness, to tell the truth regarding what one says or intends to do.

guilty (adj)

Responsible for doing something bad, as in guilty of a crime.

innocent (adj)

Not responsible for doing something bad, as in not guilty of a crime.

ballot (n)

A process of voting, in writing and typically in secret.

prejudice (n)

Preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Often used to refer to prejudice against a group of people based on some identifying characteristic.

sympathy (n)

An understanding between people, a common feeling that one person might share with another (Not the same meaning as feeling pity for someone.)

testimony (n)

A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.

presumed innocent until proven guilty

In the US legal system, the principle that someone is presumed to be innocent until the prosecution proves the person guilty. The prosecution has the burden of proof. This principle protects the rights of the accused / individuals.

presumed guilty until proven innocent

In some countries' legal systems, the principle that someone is presumed to be guilty until the defence proves the person innocent. The defence has the burden of proof. This principle protects the rights of the accuser / the government.

habeas corpus

In the US legal system, an order or law to produce an arrested person before a judge. This typically means you cannot decide someone is guilty if they are not in court (no physical body in court), and you cannot keep someone locked up in prison or elsewhere without letting them get a fair trial (no physical body in court).

in absentia (adv)

While not present at the event being referred to, absent from the event. In criminal justice, when someone is not there for a trial. Under US law, generally it is not legal for an accused or accuser to be in absentia during a trial because it violates the individual's right to a fair trial in person.