Understanding legal terms and court procedures can be confusing and frustrating at times. Finding the right legal counsel can help you understand your role in a legal proceeding and what your rights are in the circumstances you are facing. 

The goal of these blogs is to help you understand some of the more common legal jargon so you can understand the case against you and help mount the best defense with the assistance of your legal team. 

This month we will be examining terms that you may encounter during the court case and in the courtroom. 

Boston Courthouse

Opening Statements 

Opening statements are made by the legal team for both the defendant and the prosecution. These are usually short and allow the judge or the jury to understand what the case is about and what evidence may be presented to them over the course of the case. 

Cross-Examination 

This term is used to describe when a lawyer asks the opposing party or witness to test whether the person is telling the truth. This is usually done with a series of questions.

Testimony 

Testimony refers to any statement made by a witness or expert who takes the stand and swears on an oath to tell the truth in front of the judge and/or jury. 

Overruled 

This term means that a judge has taken into consideration a lawyer’s objection to evidence or a statement and is determined to rule against them. 

Court Building and the flag

Closing Arguments

Similar to the opening statements, the closing arguments (also called summation) are also done by both sides of the case – prosecution and defense – and they are meant to remind the judge or jury why they presented the better case. This closing argument is usually when a brief review is given of what happened during the case. It is also a time to remind the judge or jury of the evidence that was presented. This is truly a summary not introducing new evidence. 

Deliberation 

Once both sides have given their cases and closing arguments are over, a jury or the judge will deliberate or decide the verdict based on the evidence heard in court. The judge in the case usually gives the jury a set of instructions and they then take the time to determine an outcome in a jury room. 

Verdict 

After the jury or the judge has taken the time to look over and review the evidence and the testimony in the case a verdict is given. This means that a formal decision regarding the case has been made, usually determining guilt or innocence and whether a penalty will be required. 

How did you do? Did you understand these legal terms that will often be heard in a court of law? Visit us again as we continue to inform and educate non-legal members of the legal system about their rights and the proceedings that happen in our courts on a daily basis.