Crime & Justice Unit 2: The Courts

These courts are for hearing evidence & determining the facts of a case

• trial courts

• appellate courts

The party bringing legal action in a civil trial

• plaintiff

• prosecutor

• defendant

• judge

The state or federal attorney who initiates a criminal case

• plaintiff

• prosecutor

• defendant

• judge

The party responding to the plaintiff in a civil case or prosecution in a criminal case

• plaintiff

• prosecutor

• defendant

• judge

Responsible for maintaining order during a trial, instructing the jury with regard to the law, & pronouncing a sentence after conviction

• plaintiff

• prosecutor

• defendant

• judge

Judicial system which functions as a sort of contest in which both sides present their best arguments & show the weakness of the other side's case

• adversarial system

• inquisitorial system

Judicial system in which the judge plays an active role in questioning witnesses & controlling the court process, including gathering & presenting evidence.

• adversarial system

• inquisitorial system

One criticism of this system is that the goal becomes victory rather than truth or justice

• adversarial system

• inquisitorial system

In a bench trial, who decides the verdict?

• judge

• jury

• clerk

• bailiff

This amendment protects your right to trial by jury in criminal cases & applies to both federal & state courts

• 1st

• 5th

• 6th

• 7th