Basic Trial Vocabulary

What is the purpose of criminal laws?

• To regulate relationships between individuals

• To regulate public conduct and set out duties owed to society

• To regulate students and their attendance and behavior at school

• To regulate the conduct of businesses

A more serious crime, with the possible penalty of more than 1 year in jail.

• Felony

• Misdemeanor

• Prosecutor

• Defendant

A less severe crime, with a possible penalty of up to 1 year in jail.

• Felony

• Misdemeanor

• Prosecutor

• Defendant

These laws regulate relations between individuals or groups of individuals

• Felonies

• Misdemeanors

• Civil laws

• Criminal laws

A lawsuit brought by one person who feels wronged or injured by another person.

• Criminal suit

• Civil suit

• Misdemeanor suit

• Felony suit

The person accused of a crime in a criminal case, or the person being sued in a civil case.

• Prosecutor

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Attorney

The person harmed by another individual, who sues to recover money.

• Prosecutor

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Attorney

The person that represents the "state" in a criminal trial, who tries to prove the guilt of the accused person.

• Prosecutor

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Attorney

The standard of proof in a criminal trial (99% certainty).

• Clear and convincing

• Reasonable suspicion

• Beyond a reasonable doubt

• Preponderance of the evidence

The standard of proof in a civil trial (51% certainty).

• Clear and convincing

• Reasonable suspicion

• Beyond a reasonable doubt

• Preponderance of the evidence