Mock Trial Vocabulary

the attorney’s statement at the beginning of trial before witness testimonies are presented, outlines the case the attorney and co-counsel intend to present

• opening statement

• closing statement

• direct examination

• cross examination

The attorney reiterates important arguments, summarizes what the evidence has and has not shown, and requests the jury to consider the evidence and apply the law in his or her client’s favor.

• opening statement

• closing statement

• direct examination

• cross examination

where an attorney questions his or her own witnesses to bring out the facts of the case

• objection

• cross examination

• direct examination

• burden of proof

where the attorney questions a witness from the opposing side in an effort to expose weaknesses in their case

• objection

• cross examination

• direct examination

• burden of proof

in mock trial, a group of attorney volunteers who are the scoring judges

• jury

• presiding judge

• defense

• prosecution

the duty to prove disputed facts in the case; and that the defendant committed the crime

• charge

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• burden of proof

• prosecution

based upon reason and common sense and is not based purely on speculation

• charge

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• burden of proof

• prosecution

a general term for the effort of an attorney representing a defendant during trial to defeat the prosecution

• overrule

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• defense

• prosecution

the side of the case that brings charges against the defendant

(They will present a case against that person to try to prove them guilty.)

• burden of proof

• beyond a reasonable doubt

• defense

• prosecution

in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime

• defendant

• jury

• defense

• prosecution