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WorksheetsCivics - Trial Vocabulary
Total questions: 59
Worksheet time: 30mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
a)
affidavit
b)
chambers
c)
clerk of court
d)
court
2.
something that someone says happened.
a)
court reporter
b)
judgement
c)
allegation
d)
sequester
3.
A request made after a trial, asking another court (usually the court of appeals) to decide whether the trial was conducted properly. To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal." One who appeals is called the appellant.
a)
indictment
b)
jury
c)
witness
d)
appeal
4.
Security given for the release of a criminal defendant or witness from legal custody (usually in the form of money) to secure his/her appearance on the day and time appointed.
a)
trial
b)
bail
c)
prosecute
d)
oath
5.
Trial without a jury in which a judge decides the facts.
a)
bench trial
b)
complaint
c)
cross examine
d)
felony
6.
A judge's office.
a)
affidavit
b)
chambers
c)
clerk of court
d)
court
7.
A crime punishable by death.
a)
voire dire
b)
capital offense
c)
conviction
d)
docket
8.
The law that the police believe the defendant has broken.
a)
charge
b)
circumstantial evidence
c)
impeachment
d)
plaintiff
9.
The law that the police believe the defendant has broken.
a)
charge
b)
impeachment
c)
plaintiff
d)
circumstantial evidence
10.
The judge's instructions to the jury concerning the law that applies to the facts of the case on trial.
a)
jurisdiction
b)
verdict
c)
deposition
d)
charge to the jury
11.
All evidence except eyewitness testimony.
a)
charge
b)
circumstantial evidence
c)
impeachment
d)
plaintiff
12.
An officer appointed by the court to work with the chief judge in overseeing the court's administration, especially to assist in managing the flow of cases through the court and to maintain court records.
a)
affidavit
b)
chambers
c)
clerk of court
d)
court
13.
A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
a)
bench trial
b)
complaint
c)
cross examine
d)
felony
14.
Put off trial until another time.
a)
continuance
b)
instructions
c)
subpoena
d)
testimony
15.
A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
a)
capital offense
b)
conviction
c)
docket
d)
voire dire
16.
Legal advice; a term used to refer to lawyers in a case.
a)
counsel
b)
grand jury
c)
juror
d)
probation
17.
Government entity authorized to resolve legal disputes. Judges sometimes use "_____" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs."
a)
affidavit
b)
chambers
c)
clerk of court
d)
court
18.
A person who makes a word-for-word record of what is said in court and produces a transcript of the proceedings upon request.
a)
allegation
b)
court reporter
c)
judgement
d)
sequester
19.
Questioning of a witness by the attorney for the other side.
a)
bench trial
b)
complaint
c)
cross examine
d)
felony
20.
In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
a)
counsel
b)
plaintiff
c)
prosecute
d)
defendent
21.
The table where the defense lawyer sits with the defendant in the courtroom.
a)
defense table
b)
evidence
c)
objection
d)
opinion
22.
An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
a)
charge to the jury
b)
deposition
c)
jurisdiction
d)
sentence
23.
Lawyers' examination, before trial, of facts and documents in possession of the opponents to help the lawyers prepare for trial.
a)
discovery
b)
hearsay
c)
judge
d)
misdemeanor
24.
A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
a)
capital offense
b)
conviction
c)
docket
d)
voire dire
25.
Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
a)
defense table
b)
evidence
c)
objection
d)
opinion
26.
A crime carrying a penalty of more than a year in prison.
a)
bench trial
b)
complaint
c)
cross examine
d)
felony
27.
A body of citizens who listen to evidence of criminal allegations, which are presented by the government, and determines whether there is probable cause to believe the offense was committed.
a)
counsel
b)
grand jury
c)
juror
d)
probation
28.
Statements by a witness who did not see or hear the incident in question but heard about it from someone else. Hearsay is usually not admissible as evidence in court.
a)
discovery
b)
hearsay
c)
judge
d)
misdemeanor
29.
The process of calling something into question, as in "_____ing the testimony of a witness."
a)
charge
b)
circumstantial evidence
c)
impeachment
d)
plaintiff
30.
The formal charge issued by a grand jury stating that there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial; it is used primarily for felonies.
a)
appeal
b)
indictment
c)
jury
d)
witness
31.
Judge's explanation to the jury before it begins deliberations of the questions it must answer and the law governing the case.
a)
continuance
b)
instructions
c)
subpoena
d)
testimony
32.
A meeting with the police or prosecutor.
a)
interview
b)
mistrial
c)
plea
d)
sidebar
33.
Government official with authority to decide lawsuits brought before courts. Other judicial officers in the U.S. courts system are Supreme Court justices.
a)
discovery
b)
hearsay
c)
judge
d)
misdemeanor
34.
The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit.
a)
alegation
b)
court reporter
c)
judgement
d)
sequester
35.
The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
a)
charge to the jury
b)
deposition
c)
jurisdiction
d)
sentence
36.
A person who is on the jury.
a)
counsel
b)
grand jury
c)
juror
d)
probation
37.
Persons selected according to law and sworn to inquire into and declare a verdict on matters of fact.
a)
appeal
b)
indictment
c)
jury
d)
witness
38.
Usually a petty offense, a less serious crime than a felony, punishable by less than a year of confinement.
a)
discovery
b)
hearsay
c)
judge
d)
misdemeanor
39.
An invalid trial, caused by fundamental error. When a _____ is declared, the trial must start again from the selection of the jury.
a)
interview
b)
mistrial
c)
plea
d)
sidebar
40.
A promise to tell the truth.
a)
bail
b)
oath
c)
prosecute
d)
trial
41.
A reason that an attorney interrupts a witness to talk to the judge.
a)
defense table
b)
evidence
c)
objection
d)
opinion
42.
A judge's written explanation of a decision of the court or of a majority of judges.
a)
defense table
b)
evidence
c)
objection
d)
opinion
43.
An opportunity for lawyers to summarize their position before the court and also to answer the judges' questions.
a)
oral argument
b)
public defenders
c)
testify
d)
warrant
44.
The person who files the complaint in a civil lawsuit.
a)
charge
b)
circumstantial evidence
c)
impeachment
d)
plaintiff
45.
In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
a)
interview
b)
mistrial
c)
plea
d)
sidebar
46.
A sentencing alternative to imprisonment in which the court releases convicted defendants under supervision as long as certain conditions are observed.
a)
counsel
b)
grand jury
c)
juror
d)
probation
47.
To charge someone with a crime. A prosecutor tries a criminal caseon behalf of the government.
a)
bail
b)
oath
c)
prosecute
d)
trial
48.
Also known as defense attorneys and they represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
a)
oral argument
b)
public defenders
c)
testify
d)
warrant
49.
The punishment ordered by a court for a defendant convicted of a crime.
a)
change to the jury
b)
deposition
c)
jurisdiction
d)
sentence
50.
To separate. Sometimes juries are sequestered from outside influences during their deliberations.
a)
allegation
b)
court reporter
c)
judgement
d)
sequester
51.
A conference between the judge and lawyers held out of earshot of the jury and spectators.
a)
interview
b)
mistrial
c)
plea
d)
sidebar
52.
A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
a)
continuance
b)
instructions
c)
subpoena
d)
testimony
53.
Answer questions in court.
a)
oral argument
b)
public defenders
c)
testify
d)
warrant
54.
Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
a)
continuance
b)
intructions
c)
subpoena
d)
testimony
55.
A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
a)
bail
b)
oath
c)
prosecute
d)
trial
56.
The decision of a petit jury or a judge.
a)
charge to the jury
b)
deposition
c)
jurisdiction
d)
verdict
57.
The process by which judges and lawyers select a jury from among those eligible to serve, by questioning them to determine knowledge of the facts of the case and a willingness to decide the case only on the evidence presented in court.
a)
capital offense
b)
conviction
c)
docket
d)
voire dire
58.
A written order directing the arrest of a party. A search warrant orders that a specific location be searched for items, which if found, can be used in court as evidence.
a)
oral argument
b)
public defenders
c)
testify
d)
warrant
59.
A person called upon by either side in a lawsuit to give testimony before the court or jury.
a)
appeal
b)
indictment
c)
jury
d)
witness
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