Legal Terms for Unit 3: Twelve Angry Men

cross-examine

• to question a witness in court in order to check or discredit their testimony

• to provide a summary of a witness's statement

• to present evidence in support of a case

• to make a closing argument in a trial

testimony

• a formal statement given in court

• a casual conversation between friends

• a written document submitted to a judge

• a type of legal evidence that is not spoken

defendant

• a person who is accused of a crime in a legal case, typically represented by a defense attorney in court

• a legal representative who defends a client in court

• a witness who provides evidence in a trial

• a judge who presides over a legal case

court-appointed

• A lawyer provided for a defendant by the court if the defendant cannot provide one for themselves

• A lawyer hired by the defendant to represent them in court

• A public defender who works for the government

• A private attorney chosen by the defendant

hang the jury (hung jury)

• a jury that cannot agree on a verdict, often resulting in a retrial

• a jury that reaches a unanimous decision

• a jury that is dismissed due to misconduct

• a jury that is unable to hear the case due to lack of evidence

presumption of innocence

• the legal principle that every person accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty

• a legal doctrine that allows for the immediate arrest of suspects

• a rule that requires all evidence to be presented before a trial

• the assumption that a person is guilty until proven innocent

verdict

• a decision in a court of law, typically 'guilty' or 'not guilty'

• a type of legal document used in court

• a statement made by a witness

• a form of punishment given by the judge

burden of proof

• an obligation to prove an accused individual as "innocent" or "guilty"

• a requirement to present evidence in a civil case

• the responsibility of the jury to determine guilt

• the duty of the prosecutor to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt

alleged

• doubtful, suspected to be

• certain, confirmed

• clear, obvious

• definite, established

jury

• a group of people sworn to give a decision in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted by a court

• a legal document that outlines the charges against a defendant

• a person who represents the state in a legal proceeding

• a type of evidence presented in court