12AM Legal Terminology

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acquittal

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a judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which the person has been charged; “declaration of innocence”

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deliberation

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a discussion and consideration by a group of persons (such as a jury or legislature) of the reasons for and against a measure; long and careful discussion

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verdict

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a decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest; judgment

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testimony

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a formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law; evidence or proof provided by the existence or appearance of something

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reasonable doubt

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the lack of evidence that prevents a jury or judge from convicting a defendant of a crime; the standard of proof that must be exceeded in a criminal case to secure a guilty verdict

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cross-examination

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a legal process where a party questions a witness who has already been questioned by the opposing party; The purpose of cross-examination is to challenge the witness's credibility or the reliability of their testimony

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hung jury

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a judicial jury that cannot agree upon a verdict after extended deliberation and is unable to reach the required unanimity or supermajority; A hung jury may result in the case being tried again. This situation can occur only in common law legal systems; “a deadlocked jury”

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prosecution

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The legal party responsible for presenting the case against the defendant; the legal process of bringing charges against a person accused of a crime and presenting the case in a criminal trial

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defendant

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an individual, company, or institution sued or accused in a court of law

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evidence

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the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid; information given personally, drawn from a document, or in the form of material objects, tending or used to establish facts in a legal investigation or admissible as testimony in court