The party bringing legal action in a civil trial

The state or federal attorney who initiates a criminal case

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

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

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

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

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

In a bench trial, who decides the verdict?

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

This amendment protects your right to trial in civil cases & only applies in federal courts; many states still provide this protection also though

Most criminal cases are never brought to trial because of what?

A plea bargain is an agreement between which TWO parties?

U.S. citizen, at least 21 years of age, able to speak & understand English, resident of the state

Which of the following factors might provide an exemption from jury service? Mark all that apply.

Which factor could outright disqualify you (not just provide an exemption) from serving on a jury?

A pre-trial process during which lawyers question prospective jurors regarding their biases

When a lawyer requests that a potential juror be removed because they appear incapable of rendering a fair & impartial verdict they are using what?

During voir dire, each lawyer has a limited number of these opportunities to remove a potential juror without providing a specific reason.

Federal criminal cases require this number of jurors

All verdicts in federal & state criminal cases must be settled by what type of vote?

These courts review decisions of the lower court to determine if an error of law was made

Who is present during appellate proceedings? Mark all that apply.

Trial court decisions are always eligible for appeal.

Trial court decisions may be appealed when an argument is made that there was what?

Courts play a role in "making law" by establishing what?

Who is required to follow precedent?

The formal opinion of the appellate court

An explanation from appellate judges who agree with the majority outcome, but for different reasons

An explanation of the reasons certain appellate judges disagree with the official ruling; may be used in the future to overturn precedent

Established the precedent that racial segregation in railroad cars was constitutional as long as facilities for whites & African Americans were "separate but equal"

Supreme Court ruling that the "separate but equal" doctrine was unconstitutional

State courts have this type of jurisdiction, which allows them to hear cases involving both state & federal law

Federal courts have this type of jurisdiction, meaning they cannot rule on matters of state law

Superior, County, District, & Municipal Courts are other names for what?

Courts which deal with issues of divorce, separation, child custody, juvenile issues, etc

Courts which deal with motor vehicle violations

Courts which deal with offenses punishable by jail time

Courts which deal with wills & estate claims

Courts which deal with financial disputes involving amounts below $500

Missouri has this many district trial courts

Missouri has this many appellate court districts

Which state judicial circuit do we live within?

Which state appellate circuit do we live within?

The highest court that issues of MO state law can be appealed to is what?

The highest court that issues of federal law can be appealed to is what?

There are ______ federal judicial districts.

_____ of the Constitution creates a Supreme Court & gives Congress the authority to create lower courts

Missouri falls within the ______ circuit of the U.S. Court of Appeals

These courts handle the highest case load each year

MO judges are selected through which process?

Requirements to be a judge within the state of Missouri. Mark all that apply.

There are NO formal criteria within the U.S. Constitution for federal judges

Federal judges are nominated by

Federal judges are approved by

Federal judges hold office until what? Mark all that apply.

Who can impeach & remove a federal judge from office for inappropriate behavior?

How many justices make up the Supreme Court?

How many Supreme Court justices must vote to review a case?

Each party has this much time to present their arguments to the Supreme Court justices.

The Supreme Court receives approximately ______ requests to review cases each year.

The Supreme Court grants around _______ requests for oral argument per year.

The current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is

Ketanji Brown Jackson, Amy Coney Barrett, Elena Kagan, & Sonia Sotomayor all have what in common?

Which party delivers the opening statement & closing statement first?

Which party calls their witnesses first?

During this stage of the trial, if the prosecution's or plaintiff's basic case has not been established from the evidence introduced, the judge can end the case if a request is made by the defendant's attorney.

What follows direct examination by the defense of witnesses called by the defense?

This type of jury decides whether there is enough evidence to put a person on trial.

If a grand jury issues a(n) ________, the case will proceed to trial.

If a petit jury issues a(n) ________, the case will proceed to sentencing (if guilty) or the defendant will be released (if acquited).

Civil law involves all of the following EXCEPT

Criminal law involves all of the following EXCEPT

Jurors can not declare a defendant guilty unless they are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt in which cases?

A preponderance of the evidence is the burden of proof in ______ cases.

Which has a heavier burden of proof? (In other words, more difficult to achieve.)

Which is a heavier burden of proof? (In other words, more difficult to achieve.)

This Supreme Court case set the precedent that indigent clients have NO right to a state appointed attorney.

This Supreme Court case set the precedent that indigent clients have the right to legal counsel if they are charged with a felony.

This Supreme Court case set the precedent that indigent clients have the right to legal counsel if charged with a misdemeanor involving jail time.

Which of the following is also called a trial jury?