This module: “Understanding the trial process” © Chris Snuggs 22 March, 2012 Self-testing Vocabulary Revision 1 So, the prisoner has been charged, the

This module: “Understanding the trial process”

© Chris Snuggs22 March, 2012

Self-testing Vocabulary Revision

1

So, the prisoner has been charged, the CPS has decided there is enough evidence to have a good chance of securing a conviction,

and the prisoner is in prison on remand waiting for his trial ……

The following slides practise some of the vocabulary needed to follow the legal process through a courtroom trial. There are various different kinds of court in the UK, but this

exercise focuses on the Crown Court where serious crimes such as murder are treated.

First of all, have a look at a typical court layout and try to identify the location of the various players ……

2

Law & Order B – the Trial ProcessBACK TO PAGE 1

judge witnessbox

dock(accused)

general public

jury

recorder

prosecutionteam

defenceteam

defence counsel

(a barrister)

prosecutioncounsel

(a barrister)

judge

jury

dock

witness box

public

recorder

defence team

prosecution team

counsel for the prosecution

counsel for the defence

CLICK IN THE IMAGE ON:




3

If the charge is not very serious, the accused may be __________;

this is when he pays a large sum of money to the court

which he will lose if he doesn’t turn up for his court hearing.

bailed

STARTAGAIN




4

If the charge IS serious, then the accused is held on ______,

this means kept in prison while waiting for his or her trial.

remand

STARTAGAIN




5

Anyone charged with a criminal offence has the right

to ask for a ___________ to give him or her legal advice.

solicitor

STARTAGAIN




6

The accused’s solicitor will brief a specialist advocate called

a __________, who will speak in court on the accused’s behalf.

barrister

STARTAGAIN




7

At a trial, it is the ________ who is reponsible for the proceedings

and who keeps control of the prosecution and defence barristers!

judge

STARTAGAIN




8

In a very serious trial, there will also be a group of 12 people called a ________,

who will make the final decision concerning the accused’s guilt or innocence.

jury

STARTAGAIN




9

The prisoner is usually referred to during the trial as _____________.

the accused

Self-testing Vocabulary Revision STARTAGAIN




10

The accused sits in a special part of the court called the _____________.

dock

STARTAGAIN




11

At the beginning of the trial, the accused has to _______ “Guilty” or “Not guilty”.

plead

STARTAGAIN




12

In making his plea, the accused has to swear an _______ on the Bible.

oath

STARTAGAIN

A witness has to ANSWER this question: "Do you solemnly swear that the evidence that you give to the court will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?"




13

A number of ______ may be called to give evidence

of what they saw, heard or otherwise know.

witnesses

STARTAGAIN




14

These witnesses give their ________ to the court.

evidence

STARTAGAIN




15

Another way to say this is that the witnesses ___________.

testify

STARTAGAIN




16

The prosecution call THEIR witnesses first. These are people who will give evidence

which is UNFAVOURABLE to the accused. As soon as the prosecuting barrister has

finished questioning them, the defence barrister is allowed to _______ them to try to

refute the witnesses evidence given for the prosecution.

cross examine

STARTAGAIN




17

Not telling the truth in the witness box is a serious crime

called “__________”, for which you may be imprisoned.

perjury

STARTAGAIN




18

If any witness is found to have lied – or otherwise tried to deceive the court –

then he or she may be charged with “_________ the course of justice”.

perverting

STARTAGAIN




19

Perverting the course of justice is a very serious _________

for which you can also be imprisoned.

offence

STARTAGAIN




20

After the oath, the prosecution presents its _______.

case

STARTAGAIN




21

When both sides have presented their case, the judge gives his _________-up.

summing-up

STARTAGAIN




22

The judge _________ the jury in their duties.

instructs

STARTAGAIN




23

The jury retires to consider its __________.

verdict

STARTAGAIN




24

There are only two possible verdicts in England, __________ or not __________.

guilty

STARTAGAIN

In Scotland there is another verdict possible, “not proven”.




25

If the verdict is “guilty”, we say the prisoner has been ___________.

convicted

STARTAGAIN




26

If the verdict is “NOT guilty”, then we say the prisoner has been ___________.

acquitted

STARTAGAIN

The associated noun is “acquittal”.




27

If the verdict is guilty, the judge has to ________ the accused.

sentence

STARTAGAIN

“sentence” is both a verb AND a noun.




28

The judge may ______ the court till a later date so that he can consider his verdict.

adjourn

STARTAGAIN

This would be called an adjournment.




29

In many cases a convicted prisoner may launch an ______, claiming that the trail was in

some way unfair. This ____ is considered by a special court comprising a number of judges.

appeal

STARTAGAIN

An appeal may be granted or rejected.




30

If the appeal _________, then the prisoner has to purge his sentence

is rejected or fails

STARTAGAIN




31

Prisoners are often released early if their ________ in jail has been good.

behaviour

STARTAGAIN




32

If they are released early, they are said to be _______, but if they reoffend then

they have to return to jail at once to complete their full original sentence.

on parole

STARTAGAIN

This is from the French word “parole” for word. In other words, a prisoner on parole has given his word that he will not reoffend




33

Unfortunately, some prisoners on parole _________ and if caught

are returned to prison to complete their original sentence.

reoffend

STARTAGAIN

This is from the French word “parole” for word. In other words, a prisoner on parole has given his word that he will not reoffend.




34

If a prisoner on parole reoffends, we say that ____________

(trying to encourage and/or train someone not to turn to crime) has failed.

rehabilitation

STARTAGAIN

Documents

This module: “Understanding the trial process” © Chris Snuggs 22 March, 2012 Self-testing Vocabulary Revision 1 So, the prisoner has been charged, the