Global View - Understanding a Trial (C0204)

Lawyer:	Your honor, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, My client, Robert Malone, has been accused of a crime he did not commit. The prosecution has accused my client of being a pickpocket! I know we have heard the testimony of many people here today, …. people who claim the defendant, my client, stole their wallets. I feel sorry for these victims, I really do……… but my client is innocent!

Lawyer:	Let’s look at the facts… one: These 'so-called' witnesses did not actually see the defendant steal anything………. two: When the police stopped him, he did not have any of the stolen wallets. There is no evidence.

Lawyer:	Therefore, Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, I ask you to think carefully before giving your verdict. My client is innocent!

Judge:	Ladies and Gentlemen of the jury, have you reached a verdict?

Jury member:	Yes, your honor. our verdict is……not guilty!

Robert:	Thank you so much! You were great! Thank you for all your hard work!

Lawyer:	You’re welcome Robert! I knew you were innocent so my job was easy. Take care of yourself, okay?

Robert:	Thanks once again...

Lawyer:	Hey! Where’s my wallet?

Key Vocabulary

reach a verdict		succeed in making the finding of a jury in a trial
guilty		responsible for doing something bad
your honor		a respectful title used to or of certain judges
jury		a body of persons sworn to judge
accuse of		to charge someone with a crime
commit		to do something (usually a crime)
prosecution		the lawyers against the defendant
pickpocket		one who steals from pockets
testimony		a declaration of truth or fact
defendant		the person being sued or accused
victim		people affected by a painful or sad experience
innocent		not guilty
so-called		refer to something that is not suitable
evidence		something that shows the thing is true
witness		one who is called on to testify before a court

Acquittal		A jury verdict that a criminal defendant is not guilty, or the finding of a judge that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction.
Affidavit		A written or printed statement made under oath.
Lawsuit		A legal action started by a plaintiff against a defendant based on a complaint that the defendant failed to perform a legal duty which resulted in harm to the plaintiff.
Plea		In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges.
Warrant		Court authorization, most often for law enforcement officers, to conduct a search or make an arrest.