Who decides whether a civil case is heard by a jury?
Who decides whether a civil case is heard by a jury?
The judge makes a decision or the jury gives its verdict, based on the testimony and other evidence presented during trial. 8. The losing party may appeal the decision to the next higher level of the court.
What are the stages of the court process?
Investigation.Charging.Initial Hearing/Arraignment.Discovery.Plea Bargaining.Preliminary Hearing.Pre-Trial Motions.Trial.
What is the next step after an indictment?
After a grand jury indictment, a defendant has the opportunity to enter a plea. A guilty plea could lead to a quick sentencing hearing or the imposition of a pre-arranged plea bargain with prosecutors. If a defendant pleads not guilty, the case will move forward to trial.
Who bears the burden of proof?
There are different standards in different circumstances. For example, in criminal cases, the burden of proving the defendant’s guilt is on the prosecution, and they must establish that fact beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proving his case by a preponderance of the evidence.
What is it called when the judge makes a decision?
judgment – The official decision of a court finally determining the respective rights and claims of the parties to a suit. jurisdiction – (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
What do judges base their decisions on?
The American legal system is a Common Law system, which means that judges base their decisions on previous court rulings in similar cases. Therefore, previous decisions by a higher court are binding, and become part of the law.
