Legal Rights & Procedures
| justice | |
| due process | |
| constitutional rights | |
| Miranda rights | |
| right to silence | |
| immunity |
You have the right to an attorney.
Innocent until proven guilty.
Beyond a reasonable doubt.
Initial Court Appearances
| district attorney (DA) | |
| prosecutor | |
| courthouse | |
| defendant | |
| plea bargain | |
| defense attorney | |
| charge | |
| guilty | |
| innocent | |
| bail |
How do you plead? Guilty or not guilty?
I plead not guilty.
I plead guilty.
I plead guilty to the charge of murder.
He made bail and was released with an ankle monitor.
Pretrial Phase
The evidence is inadmissible because it was obtained without probable cause.The defense attorney made a motion to dismiss the case which was granted.The case is dismissed.
The Trial
| witness | |
| testimony | |
| jury | |
| juror | |
| cross-examination | |
| perjury | |
| contempt of court | |
| objection | |
| closing arguments | |
| verdict | |
| conviction | |
| acquittal |
| to testify | |
| to convict | |
| to acquit | |
| to object | |
| to overrule | |
| to sustain | |
| to deliberate | |
| to cross-examine | |
| to rebut |
The court is now in session.
Do you solemnly swear that the testimony you are about to give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?Order in the court!
The defense called its first witness.Please take the stand.
The witness testified that she saw the suspect at the scene.I object! Leading the witness, your honor.The judge overruled the objection.The witness was cross-examined by the prosecutor.The judge sustained the objection.The judge instructed the jury to disregard the last statement.The prosecutor objected to the question as irrelevant.The jury was sequestered during the trial.The witness gave compelling testimony.The judge declared a mistrial due to a procedural error.The prosecutor gave the closing arguments.The closing arguments summarized the main points of the case.The judge held him in contempt of court.The jury is still out on that decision.
The jury is deadlocked.After deliberation, the jury reached a unanimous verdict.The verdict was announced in open court.The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.The defendant was acquitted of all charges.
Sentencing
| sentence | |
| life sentence | |
| probation | |
| parole | |
| fine | |
| penalty |
| to sentence | |
| to parole | |
| to fine | |
| to penalize |
He was convicted of robbery and sentenced to five years in prison.
The judge sentenced the defendant to community service.
He's a repeat offender and got a heavy sentence.
She violated her parole and was sent to prison.
The Appeal
| appellate court |
| to appeal |
The defense attorney appealed the conviction.The defense presented new evidence during the appeal.
Prison
| cell | |
| warden | |
| solitary confinement | |
| guard | |
| release | |
| maximum security | |
| minimum security |
| to incarcerate | |
| to escape | |
| to serve time | |
| to release | |
| to break out | |
| to lock up | |
| to rehabilitate |
He is serving a life sentence.The inmates are locked up in their cells at night.He's been behind bars for years.The prison is a maximum security facility.He hopes to be rehabilitated and reintegrated into society.He's doing hard time.She's on death row.The prison is overcrowded.He spent six months in solitary confinement.Because of the riot, the inmates are in lockdown.There was a prison break last week.He broke out of jail by digging a tunnel.He tried to escape but was caught by the guards.He's counting down the days to his release.He got early release for good behavior.She was released on parole after ten years.She did time for robbery.
Civil court
| plaintiff | |
| lawsuit |
| to sue |