Trial Vocabulary

A group of people sworn to abide by the laws to determine the truth

• criminal trial court

• jury

• grand jury

To ask a higher court to review the decision and determine if justice was done

• appeal

• indict

• grand jury

A group of citizens that decides whether there is sufficient evidence to accuse someone of a crime.

• jury

• plaintiff

• grand jury

hears cases where one person or group thinks another person or group should pay for causing harm

• criminal trial court

• civil trial court

• supreme court

someone who saw the crime being committed and can provide some information

• defendant

• plaintiff

• witness

a formal charge or accusation of a serious crime

• indictment

• appeal

• plaintiff

person, especially a public official, who institutes legal proceedings against someone.

• defendant

• plaintiff

• prosecutor

an individual or group being sued or charged with a crime

• plaintiff

• public defendar

• defendant

a person chosen to interpret laws, decide on a winner, or settle a controversy

• judge

• plaintiff

• juror

a member of a jury

• defendant

• juror

• public defender