| A | B |
|---|
| answer | defendant's statement in reply to the plaintiff's complaint |
| appellate review | a review of the results of trial by a higher court |
| arbitrator | one who makes a decision that is binding on both parties of a dispute |
| closing statement | attorneys' summary of case, which is meant to persuade the judge/jury |
| complaint | first paper filed in a civil action filed by the plaintiff, stating the claim for judgment |
| contempt of court | willful disrespect to a court or disobedience of its orders |
| court | tribunal established to administer justice |
| criminal action | a lawsuit brought by the state against a person accused of a crim |
| defendant | a person against whom a criminal/civil action is brought |
| deposition | pretrial questioning of opposing party and witnesses under oath |
| discovery procedures | court-ordered means of getting facts about the dispute from the opposing party and witnesses before trial |
| evidence | anything that provides information used to prove or disprove alleged facts |
| expert witness | a witness who possesses superior knowledge about important facts |
| instructions to the jury | instructions given by the judge that tell the jury what rules of law to apply to the case |
| judgment | final result of a trial |
| jurisdiction | the authority to decide types of cases |
| jury | a body of impartial citizens who listen to and decide issues of fact in a trial |
| juvenile delinquent | a child under a specified age who commits a criminal act or is incorrigible |
| juveniles | person under the age of majority |
| litigate | to take a dispute to court |
| mediator | an independent third party who tries to develop a solution acceptable to both sides of the dispute |
| opening statement | remarks made by attorney briefly outlining their case |
| plaintiff | one who brings a civil action |
| preponderance of the evidence | a majority of the evidence |
| proof beyond a reasonable doubt | a standard of proof in which the vast majority of the evidence supports the guilty verdict |
| small claims court | a court in which a civil action for a small amount can be filed |
| subpoena | written order commanding a person to appear in court as a witness |
| summons | court order directing the defendant to answer the plaintiff's complaint |
| testimony | statements made by witnesses under oath |
| transcript | a copy of the written record of a trial |
| trial court | court where a dispute is first heard |
| verdict | decision of a jury |
| witness | a person who has personal knowledge of the facts |
| writ of execution | the process by which a judgment for money is enforced |
