| A | B |
|---|
| grand jury | a panel of twenty-three citizens who hear evidence against a person accused of a crime and determine whether that person should stand trial. |
| indictment | a formal accusation by grand jury |
| arraignment | A hearing before a judge during which the judge reads the charges to the defendant and the defendant pleads guilty or not guilty. |
| felony | The most serious category of criminal offenses (includes murder, rape, burglary, kidnapping, & manslaughter) With penalties of imprisonment ranging from less than a year to life, or in some states, punishable by death. |
| misdemeanor | a lesser crime punishable by a fine and/or county jail time for up to one year |
| prosecution | attorney that tries to prove the defendant is guilty (District Attorney, Asst. District Attorney) |
| defense | attorney representing the defendant—wants a “not guilty” verdict |
| jury | 12 people brought into court to decide on the guilt or innocence of a defendant |
| sequester | jury members are kept separate from the public (hotel) |
| witness | a person who has information about the crime and testifies under oath at the trial |
| testimony | a statement or declaration by a witness under oath (what the witnesses say) |
| cross examine | the opportunity for the attorney to ask questions in court of a witness who has testified in a trial on behalf of the opposing party. |
| evidence | different kinds of proof presented at a trial |
| physical evidence | tangible (that you can touch/see) evidence that is someway related to the incident |
| circumstantial evidence | evidence that tends to prove a factual matter by proving other events or circumstances from which the occurrence of the matter at issue can be reasonable inferred |
| motive | the WHY – reason the crime was committed |
| alibi | the defense of having been elsewhere during the crime |
| premeditated murder | the killing of a person that was planned before hand |
| unanimous | everyone agrees—in a jury all decisions must be unanimous |
| verdict | unanimous finding or decision of a jury |
| hung jury | jury cannot decide unanimously on the verdict |
| reasonable doubt | doubt about the guilt of a criminal after considering all of the evidence |
| deliberation | formal discussion/arguments made by the jury |
| acquittal | verdict of “not guilty” |
| sentence | the punishment of the guilty party decided by the judge |
