Fast and the Curious: Roles and Steps in a Trial

In a civil case, this is the party accusing someone of damages.

• Prosecutor

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Judge

In a criminal case, this is the attorney who represents the government.

• Prosecutor

• Plaintiff

• Defendant

• Attorney

This is the party responding to accusations in both civil and criminal cases.

• Prosecutor

• Defense Attorney

• Judge

• Defendant

The individual who presides over a trial, protects the rights of people involved, makes sure the rules of evidence and trial procedures are followed, determines the facts of the case, and reaches a verdict.

• Public Defender

• Attorney

• Judge

• Defendant

An attorney who works for the state that defends people who cannot afford a private attorney.

• Public Defender

• Attorney

• Judge

• Plaintiff

Represents the plaintiff and the defendant, collects all evidence that supports their side and decides how to present it in trial.

• Plaintiff

• Jury

• Judge

• Attorney

• A group of citizens who are sworn to give a verdict based on the evidence presented in court.

• Judge

• Jury

• Grand Jury

• Defendant

A group that hears charges against a suspect and decides whether there is sufficient evidence to bring the person to trial.

• Jury

• Judge

• Grand Jury

• Public Defender

Match the following steps of a trial to their descriptions.

• Cross Examination by Defense

• Explanation to the judge & jury the evidence to be presented as proof of allegations

• Opening Statement Plaintiff/Prosecution

• Questioning that is designed to break down the story or discredit the prosecution by asking questions to each witness of the prosecution.

• Opening Statement by Defense

• Each witness for the prosecution in a criminal trial is questioned and additional evidence in favor of the prosecution is presented.

• Direct Examination-Plaintiff/Prosecution

• The attorney of the defendant explains the evidence that will be presented that disproves the allegations made by the prosecutor in a criminal trial.

Match the following steps of a trial to their descriptions:

• Cross Examination-Plaintiff/Prosecution

• In a criminal trial, the prosecution reviews all the evidence presented and asks for the finding of guilty. In a civil case, they ask for a finding in favor of the plaintiff.

• Direct Examination by Defense

• Each witness for the defense is questioned.

• Closing Statement-Plaintiff/Prosecution

• Each witness for the defense is questioned by the prosecutor in a criminal trial

• Motions

• In a criminal case, if the prosecution’s basic case has not been established from the evidence, the judge can end the case by granting an oral request made by the defendant’s attorney