Vocabulary - Legal Terms

In criminal prosecution this group of 12 people will decide if a person is guilty or innocent based on evidence provided

• Defense Attorneys

• Prosecution Attorneys

• Jury

• The City Officials

The official responsible for guaranteeing that judicial protocol is followed during trials, lawsuits, depositions (the process of presenting evidence, usually verbal or written), etc.

• Jury

• Judge

• Prosecuter

• The People

An agent authorized to provide legal services and represent clients in court

• Any person

• Judge

• Foreperson

• Attorney

The attorney representing the defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution

• Prosecution

• Defense

• Baliff

• Jury

Generic term for the government's attorney in a criminal case. They present arguments against the defendant.

• Prosecuting Attorney

• Defense

  Attorney

• Judge

• Plantiff

The party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the defendant. (e.g. in medical malpractice, the person who was harmed by the doctor)

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Attorney

• Jury

The party charged with a crime in a criminal prosecution or the party sued in a lawsuit.

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Baliff

• Jury

The specific statement of a crime that the party is charged with.

• Misdemeanor

• civil liability

• criminal charges

• objection

A lesser crime tried in the lowest local court. Punishment is a fine or county jail for less than a year. (not state/federal prison) Ex. petty theft, disturbing the peace, traffic violations

• perjury

• crime

• felony

• misdemeanor

A crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by a term in state/federal prison or up to capital punishment. (minimum 1 year in state/federal prison)

• felony

• misdemeanor

• crime

• witness