The official responsible for guaranteeing that judicial protocol is followed during trials, lawsuits, depositions (the process of presenting evidence, usually verbal or written), etc.

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An agent authorized to provide legal services and represent clients in court

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The attorney representing the defendant in a lawsuit or criminal prosecution

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Generic term for the government's attorney in a criminal case. They present arguments against the defendant.

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Prosecutor of a specific county with the responsibility of prosecuting crimes. This is an elected official. In Sharon, this person is Michael Morrissey.

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The party who initiates a lawsuit by filing a complaint against the defendant. (e.g. in medical malpractice, the person who was harmed by the doctor)

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The party charged with a crime in a criminal prosecution or the party sued in a lawsuit.

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The initial appearance of a criminal defendant before a judge. This is the hearing (appearance before a judge without a jury where evidence is presented) where the defendant is charged with a crime.

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The specific statement of a crime that the party is charged with.

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A charge of felony (serious crime) voted by a grand jury. A grand jury is different from a trial jury in that the grand jury will decide if the charges should be brought against the suspect.

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A lesser crime tried in the lowest local court. Punishment is a fine or county jail for less than a year. (not state/federal prison) Ex. petty theft, disturbing the peace, traffic violations

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A crime sufficiently serious to be punishable by a term in state/federal prison or up to capital punishment. (minimum 1 year in state/federal prison)

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A verdict of Not guilty of a crime. Not necessarily a finding of innocence, could be not enough evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.

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The punishment given to a person convicted of a crime.

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The result of a criminal trial in which the defendant has been found guilty of a crime.

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Placing an individual on trial for a crime for which they have been previously acquitted of. This is prohibited by the 5th amendment of the constitution EVEN when new evidence is revealed. It is possible to be tried for a different crime based on the same facts used previously.

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This is a slang term used to describe a jury in a criminal case where the jury is hopelessly deadlocked regarding the guilt or innocence of a defendant, and a unanimous verdict could not be met. This may lead to a mistrial, in which case the defendant can be retried later.

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One individual (the plaintiff) files a complaint against another individual (the defendant) for some wrongdoing that caused harm, and asks the defendant for compensation.

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