Definition of Terms
- Appellate Court:
- A court which reviews trial court cases on questions of law.
- Challenge:
- To ask that a member of the jury panel be excused.
- Challenge For Cause:
- To ask that a member of the jury panel be excused, because there appears to be a reason why he or she might not be impartial as a juror.
- Civil Action:
- A civil court proceeding filed by one party against another.
- Complaint:
- A written charge against a person in a criminal action. A written statement of the plaintiff’s claim in a civil action.
- Cross Examination:
- The questioning of a witness by the side that did not call the witness.
- Deliberations:
- The discussion by the jury through which the verdict in a case is reached. This discussion is private; only members of the jury are allowed to participate or to be present.
- Grand Jury:
- A jury that reviews evidence submitted by the prosecutor and determines whether a person should be charged with a crime. Impaneled: A jury which has been chosen and sworn in a particular case.
- Indictment:
- The formal charge by a grand jury against an individual or organization.
- Information:
- The formal charge filed by a prosecuting attorney when a defendant has waived the right to have the defendant’s case submitted to the grand jury.
- Peremptory Challenge:
- A lawyer’s request that a juror be excused from a case without giving a reason why the juror should be excused. This type of challenge results in automatic removal. The number of challenges depends on the type of case.
- Submitted:
- When a case is given to the jury for deliberation.
- Trial Court:
- A court which is established to resolve disputes between parties by analysis of the evidence presented.
- Voir Dire:
- The French word “Voir” means to inspect; “dire” means to talk or speak. It is an examination of jurors to determine whether there are any reasons why they should not be sworn.
