acquittal
n. judgement that a person is not guilty of crime being charged
adjudication
the final judgment in a legal proceeding; act of pronouncing judgment based on the evidence presented
appeal
v. apply to a higher court for a reversal of the decision of a lower court
beyond all reasonable doubt
a phrase in which jurors are told that the defendant is certainly guilty/innocent
contempt of court
behavior that opposes or defies the authority, justice, and dignity of the court.
conviction
final judgement of guilty in a criminal case and the punishment that is imposed
corroborating evidence
additional evidence that supports a proof already offered in a proceeding
counsel
advocate: a lawyer who pleads cases in court
cross examination
close questioning of a hostile witness in a court of law to discredit or throw a new light on the testimony already provided in direct examination
defendant
an individual/company/institution sued or accused in a court of law
defense
a defendant may raise a defense in an attempt to avoid criminal or civil liability
evidence
available body of facts/info indicating whether a belief or proposition is valid
expunge
type of lawsuit in which a first time offender of a prior criminal conviction seeks that the records of that earlier process be sealed/purged
hearings
a proceeding where evidence is taken for the purpose of determining an issue of fact and reaching a decision based on that evidence
immaterial
unimportant under the circumstances; irrelevant
indicted
accuse formally of a crime
irrelevant
not connected with or relevant to something
jury
body of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court
jury box
segregated area in which the jury sits in a court of law
litigants
a person involved in a lawsuit
oath
sworn declaration that one will tell the truth
objection
the act of expressing earnest opposition or protest
offense
breach of a law of rule; an illegal act
overruled
reject or disallow by exercising one's superior authority
proceedings
action taken in a court to settle a dispute
prosecution
institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
rebuttal
refutation/contradiction
relevancy
relation of something to the matter at hand
subpoena
a writ ordering a person to attend a court
sustained
for a judge to agree that an attorney's objection is valid
testify
give evidence as a witness in a law court
testimony
formal written/spoken statement
witness
person who sees an event, giving sworn testimony to court of law
witness stand
place in a court where a witness stands to give evidence