Courtroom Jargon

Courtroom Jargon

ELA Mock Trial Prep - Mrs. Roy

The team trying to prove that the defendant is guilty; sometimes has a plaintiff who is the person bringing the lawsuit against the defendant.

Prosecution

Defense

​The Lawyers

The team representing the defendant trying to prove their innocence. The defendant can be an individual or organization accused of a crime or being sued.

The prosecution and defense teams will each gather evidence (proof) to display for the judge and jury during the trial:

• documents

• videos

• witness statements

• objects
  

​Evidence

Witnesses, people who saw, heard, or know something important about the case will be called to give their testimony. They will testify, or speak under oath, to explain their useful knowledge surrounding the case.

Witness,
Testimony/Testify

​When a lawyer questions a witness they have intentionally called to support their case, knowing they have crucial information to reveal that the jury should hear

Direct Examination

​When the opposing team questions a witness called by the other side to ultimately question their credibility and make them sound untrustworthy in front of the jury

​​Cross Examination

​Witness Questioning:

Verdict

​The Judge and Jury's Final Decision

After a period of deliberation (the process where the jury discusses all evidence and votes on a decision), the jury will share their verdict with the court.

Multiple Choice

The plaintiff (person or organization taking someone to court) is represented by the:

• prosecution team

• defense team

Multiple Select

Select ALL items that can be used as evidence in court.

• videos and photos

• witness statements

• documents

• objects

Multiple Choice

Which of the following terms is the verb *to speak under oath* in court?

• testimony

• deliberate

• testify

• deliberation

Multiple Choice

When a witness testifies on behalf of the prosecution or defense, and their own team asks them questions, it is called...

• cross examination

• self-questioning

• direct examination

• testifying

Multiple Choice

When the opposing team asks a witness questions with the goal of testing their credibility and making them appear untrustworthy, it is called...

• cross examination

• self-questioning

• direct examination

• testifying

Multiple Choice

The process of meeting to discuss the evidence and cast a vote for the winning side is called...

• discussion
• polling
• negotiation
• deliberation

Multiple Choice

The judge and jury's final decision is called...

• sentence
• ruling
• verdict
• decision