How to Use Courtroom Terminology

The legal process is so complicated it takes an extra 3 years of college just to be able to practice. It takes a lot of that time to master the terminology associated with the courtroom. Unfortunately, for other people, this can be very confusing. Knowing some basic terms will help you understand what is happening.

Instructions

1. Know that the arraignment is the first step in the court process. This will be a person's initial trip to the courthouse where he will inform the judge whether he plans to fight the charges. The person pleads guilty, not guilty or no contest.

2. Understand that the "defendant" is the person charged with a crime. This is also the person who makes a plea of guilty or not guilty. Every case must have a defendant and in America, every defendant is entitled representation from an attorney.

3. Realize there cannot be a defendant without a "plaintiff." The plaintiff is the half of the case who accuses the defendant of treating her unfairly, or illegally. In a civil case, it will be one person against another and in a criminal case, the plaintiff will be the government saying the defendant broke the law.

4. Prepare testimony during a trial. This is the time when both the attorneys for the plaintiff and defendant question witnesses. The witnesses can only answer direct questions, and can't speak freely.

5. Receive a subpoena, and you will have to attend the court proceedings as a witness or expert. A subpoena is a paper that says you have to give testimony at a trial. Failure to follow a subpoena is punishable by law. Normally, investigators for the prosecution or defense deliver the subpoenas.