Understanding a Trial

reach a verdictphrase

succeed in making the finding of a jury in a trial

guiltyAdjective

responsible for doing something bad

your honorphrase

a respectful title used to or of certain judges

jurycommon noun, singular

a body of persons sworn to judge

accuse ofphrase

to charge someone with a crime

commitprinciple verb, infinitive

to do something (usually a crime)

prosecutioncommon noun, singular

the lawyers against the defendant

pickpocketcommon noun, singular

one who steals from pockets

testimonycommon noun, singular

a declaration of truth or fact

defendantcommon noun, singular

the person being sued or accused

victimcommon noun, plural

people affected by a painful or sad experience

innocentAdjective

not guilty

socalledAdjective

refer to something that is not suitable

evidencecommon noun, nonvariable

something that shows the thing is true

witnesscommon noun, plural

one who is called on to testify before a court

Acquittalcommon noun, singular

A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.

Affidavitcommon noun, singular

A written or printed statement made under oath.

Lawsuitcommon noun, singular

A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.

Pleaverb

In a criminal case, the defendant’s statement pleading ”guilty” or ”not guilty” in answer to the charges.

Warrantcommon noun, singular

Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest.