Twelve Angry MenTwelve Angry Men

Courtroom Terms / Justice Courtroom Terms / Justice SystemSystem

What are the two court systems What are the two court systems in America?in America?

Civil CourtsCivil Courts Deal with individual wrongs. For Deal with individual wrongs. For

example, if somebody owes you example, if somebody owes you money but fails to pay you, you can money but fails to pay you, you can sue them in a civil court. There is no sue them in a civil court. There is no jail time awarded in civil courts. jail time awarded in civil courts.

Types of courts Cont.Types of courts Cont.

Criminal CourtsCriminal Courts These are crimes against society. These are crimes against society.

For example, If someone steals your For example, If someone steals your car he or she can be charged in a car he or she can be charged in a Criminal Court Jail time and death Criminal Court Jail time and death are awarded only in criminal courts.are awarded only in criminal courts.

What is “Burden of Proof?”What is “Burden of Proof?”

This is the amount or level of proof This is the amount or level of proof necessary in order to convict necessary in order to convict someone of a crime. It is different someone of a crime. It is different depending on what court system you depending on what court system you are in.are in.

Burden of Proof for Civil CourtsBurden of Proof for Civil Courts

In a civil court, the burden of proof is In a civil court, the burden of proof is ……

““More likely than not”More likely than not” If you believe that it is more likely If you believe that it is more likely

than not that the person committed than not that the person committed the crime, you are allowed to vote the crime, you are allowed to vote guilty and award the victim monetary guilty and award the victim monetary damages. damages.

Burden of Proof Criminal CourtsBurden of Proof Criminal Courts

The Burden of proof in a Criminal The Burden of proof in a Criminal Court is…Court is…

““Beyond a reasonable doubt”Beyond a reasonable doubt” This is where you are almost This is where you are almost

absolutely sure the person absolutely sure the person committed the crime. This is a high committed the crime. This is a high standard because Jail and Death are standard because Jail and Death are possible punishments.possible punishments.

What are the two types of What are the two types of crimes?crimes?

MisdemeanorMisdemeanor A less serious crime punishable by A less serious crime punishable by

less than a year in jail.less than a year in jail. FelonyFelony A more serious crime punishable by A more serious crime punishable by

more than one year in Jail.more than one year in Jail. Murder is a felony.Murder is a felony.

What are the types of murder What are the types of murder charges?charges?

First Degree MurderFirst Degree Murder

This is when you are aware that you This is when you are aware that you want to kill someone (malice) and want to kill someone (malice) and you plan it out and execute it you plan it out and execute it (aforethought). The penalty for this (aforethought). The penalty for this could be the death penalty.could be the death penalty.

Murder charges cont.Murder charges cont.

Second Degree MurderSecond Degree Murder This is known as a crime of passion. This is known as a crime of passion.

You kill someone but you didn’t plan it You kill someone but you didn’t plan it out. You did it out of sudden anger or out. You did it out of sudden anger or rage.rage.

ManslaughterManslaughter You never intended to kill anybody, You never intended to kill anybody,

but your but your carelessnesscarelessness ended up killing ended up killing someone.someone.

What are the types of trials?What are the types of trials?

When charged with a crime, you When charged with a crime, you have the choice of a Jury trial or a have the choice of a Jury trial or a Bench trial. Most choose a Jury trialBench trial. Most choose a Jury trial

What is a Jury TrialWhat is a Jury Trial

A jury trial is where 6 to 12 of your A jury trial is where 6 to 12 of your peers listen to the evidence and peers listen to the evidence and decide innocence or guilt.decide innocence or guilt.

What is a Bench trial?What is a Bench trial? This is when the Judge solely decides This is when the Judge solely decides

innocence or guilt.innocence or guilt.

What are the different types of What are the different types of evidence?evidence?

Physical EvidencePhysical Evidence This is direct evidence such as an This is direct evidence such as an

eye witness who actually saw what eye witness who actually saw what happened.happened.

Circumstantial EvidenceCircumstantial Evidence No witnesses; evidence that No witnesses; evidence that suggests suggests

that something is true.that something is true. Most evidence is circumstantial.Most evidence is circumstantial.

Can you be convicted of a crime Can you be convicted of a crime based solely on circumstantial based solely on circumstantial

evidence?evidence?

Yes! In some cases, Yes! In some cases, circumstantial evidence is circumstantial evidence is

considered more powerful than considered more powerful than eyewitness testimony. eyewitness testimony.

Courtroom TermsCourtroom Terms

PlaintiffPlaintiff – The accuser – The accuser DefendantDefendant – one who is being – one who is being

charged with a crimecharged with a crime BailiffBailiff – The judges assistant – The judges assistant ArraignmentArraignment – When you are – When you are

brought into court for the first time brought into court for the first time and are formally charged with a and are formally charged with a crime.crime.

Terms cont.Terms cont.

Pre-trial hearingPre-trial hearing – this is when the – this is when the Plaintiff presents all the evidence Plaintiff presents all the evidence against the defendant. The judge against the defendant. The judge decides if there is enough evidence decides if there is enough evidence to go to trial.to go to trial.

SubpoenaSubpoena – An order, by the Judge, – An order, by the Judge, to appear in court.to appear in court.

Opening StatementOpening Statement – an – an explanation to the court as to what explanation to the court as to what you believe your evidence will prove.you believe your evidence will prove.

Terms cont.Terms cont.

TestimonyTestimony – what witnesses say – what witnesses say when asked questions in the when asked questions in the courtroom under oath.courtroom under oath.

Direct examinationDirect examination – Opportunity – Opportunity to ask questions of to ask questions of your ownyour own witnesses.witnesses.

Cross examinationCross examination – Opportunity to – Opportunity to ask questions of each other’s ask questions of each other’s witnesses. witnesses.

Terms cont.Terms cont.

VerdictVerdict – The guilty or not guilty – The guilty or not guilty decision after all the evidence has decision after all the evidence has been presented. It is the jury’s been presented. It is the jury’s ultimate decision.ultimate decision.

SentenceSentence – Punishment if you are – Punishment if you are found guilty of the charges.found guilty of the charges.

Pre-meditated – Pre-planned Unanimous – Everyone is in

agreement

Final Written ResponseFinal Written Response

In the play “Twelve Angry Men” a In the play “Twelve Angry Men” a young boy is acquitted of murdering young boy is acquitted of murdering his father. Do you think justice was his father. Do you think justice was served or did this kid just get away served or did this kid just get away with murder? Discuss your feeling with murder? Discuss your feeling about the verdict and use evidence about the verdict and use evidence from the play to support your from the play to support your opinion.opinion.