Court procedures

Give us a presentation that teaches us the following information:

What kinds of questions does a lawyer ask in DIRECT examination? How about in CROSS examination? What is the difference? Define "leading question": in which kind of examination can it be used?

What objections can be made by lawyers? Define "Hearsay", "Speculation", "Asked and Answered" "Irrelevant," "Vague" and "Argumentative."

Here's a helpful video about objections:

Report to us about the law and the penalties for each of the following:

1st degree Murder: The decision to kill is “premeditated”—that is, before the moment of the crime.

2nd degree Murder: The decision to kill is made AT THE TIME of the crime.

Manslaughter: There is no decision to kill; the crime takes place by accident or negligence.

Self-defense: There is no crime if both of the following conditions are fulfilled:

1. The defendant believes his life is in immediate danger

2. The defendant believes he has no other way to save his own life than to kill the assailant.

How a trial works:

First, the court hears the case made by the GOVERNMENT—the district attorney:

  • Opening statement by the PROSECUTION: In two minutes, tell the story of the crime as you want the jury to believe it happened. What are you going to prove by calling your witnesses?
  • Prosecution calls any witnesses they choose to call. Bailiff swears them in. Prosecution examines each witness. Defense may cross-examine each witness. Jury takes notes.
  • Closing statement by the prosecution: In two minutes, what has the testimony of these witnesses shown?

Then, the court hears the DEFENSE’s case—the public defender or a hired lawyer.

  • Opening statement by the DEFENSE: In two minutes, tell the story of the crime as you want the jury to believe it happened. What are you going to prove by calling your witnesses?
  • Defense calls any witnesses they choose to call. Bailiff swears them in. Defense examines each witness. Prosecution may cross examine each witness. Jury takes notes.
  • Closing statement by the prosecution: In two minutes, what has the testimony of these witnesses shown?

The judge may interrupt at any time for clarification or order, in order to make sure the jury hears a fair representation of the facts.

The jury debates privately until they are unanimous in a verdict. They write this verdict down, and the jury foreman hands the written verdict to the judge, who reads it and hands it to the bailiff, who reads the verdict to the court. The judge then decides on the appropriate sentence.