What are the two sides of a court case?

What are the two sides of a court case?

Names of the sides. In criminal trials, the state’s side, represented by a district attorney, is called the prosecution. In civil trials, the side making the charge of wrongdoing is called the plaintiff. (The side charged with wrongdoing is called the defendant in both criminal and civil trials.)

What is the difference between plaintiff and prosecutor?

The prosecution represents the people and is tasked with gathering information to “prove beyond a reasonable doubt.” A plaintiff is a person or group who suspects that there was an unjust action taken against them. While both are the ones that present a case to a court, they have different procedures to handle them.

What is an example of a defendant?

In some cases, a person can face both civil and criminal charges, becoming a defendant in both cases. For example, John has been accused of embezzling $100,000 from his employer. John may be charged with embezzlement as a crime, being subject to potential prison time and other penalties.

Who are the courtroom actors?

Who are the three main actors that make up the courtroom workgroup? Prosecutor, Defense Attorney, & the Judge. What are the 3 main actors goals? They expeditiously handle cases, maintain group cohesion, and reduce uncertainty.

Who is the most important person in a courtroom?

Judge

Who is considered the most visible actor in the courtroom?

prosecutor

Who are the main courtroom officials?

  • Judge. A judge presides over a court when two parties are in dispute.
  • Associate. An associate is the confidential secretary to the judge and is a clerk of the court in which the judge is presiding.
  • Tipstaff.
  • Legal practitioners.
  • Witness.
  • Court officer.
  • Court reporter.

Who sits in front of the judge?

Court Clerk – A Deputy Prothonotary or Deputy Clerk of Court sits in front of the Judge and handles the papers for the Court, assists the court with the jurors and administers the oath to the witnesses.

What happens if you don’t rise in court?

What happens if you just don’t go? If you willfully fail to appear at a required court date, you can be charged with “Failure to Appear” (CA Penal Code 1320 & 1320.5). The judge will issue a bench warrant, and police will show up at your house to arrest you and bring you to court.

What is the person in court that types called?

A court reporter or court stenographer, formerly referred to as a stenotype operator, shorthand reporter, or law reporter, is a person whose occupation is to capture the live testimony in proceedings using [voice writing] and/or stenographic machine and transforming same into an official certified transcript by nature …

Who writes Court?

court reporter

What power do judges have?

The federal courts’ most important power is that of judicial review, the authority to interpret the Constitution. When federal judges rule that laws or government actions violate the spirit of the Constitution, they profoundly shape public policy.