Mock Trial Vocabulary Words

Front 1

extrapolation

Back 1

to arrive at a conclusion; to move forward

Front 2

objection

Back 2

to present to the judge a rule of evidence which would either take away or prevent a question/answer

Front 3

rules of evidence

Back 3

a system of rules and standards that is used to determine which facts may be admitted, and to what extent a judge or jury may consider those facts, as proof of a particular issue in a lawsuit

Front 4

sustained

Back 4

to support as true, legal or valid - the judge may say "sustained" when an objection is made and he agrees with the objection - the witness will not have to answer the question

Front 5

overruled

Back 5

to rule against; the judge may say "overruled" when an objection is made and he does not think the objection is valid - the witness will have to answer the question

Front 6

impeachment

Back 6

confront a witness with the statement and bring out inconsistencies in testimony given

Front 7

exhibits

Back 7

physical evidence like a letter, a witness statement, a diagram or sketch that may be referred to in detail an dparts read to the jury

Front 8

opening statement

Back 8

an introduction of yourself and your client and to acquaint the jury and judge with the nature of your case

Front 9

closing arguments

Back 9

a summary of your case in which you point out testimony which helps your case and damages your opponent's, and must be based on evidence and testimony presented during trial

Front 10

voluntary

Back 10

a statement must be freely and willingly given with complete understanding

Front 11

affirmative defense

Back 11

a defense that admits the doing of the act charged, but seeks to justify it

Front 12

provocation

Back 12

to provoke someone

Front 13

deadly force

Back 13

force that is intended or known by the person using it to cause death or serious bodily injury

Front 14

bodily injury

Back 14

physical pain, illness or impairment of physical condition

Front 15

serious bodily injury

Back 15

bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death

Front 16

reasonable belief

Back 16

a belief that would be held by an ordinary and prudent person in the same circumstances as the Defendant

Front 17

malice

Back 17

the wrongful intent to injure another and indicates a wicked or depraved spirit intent on doing wrong

Front 18

murder

Back 18

the killing of another person with malice aforethought

Front 19

manslaughter

Back 19

the unlawful killing of another without malice

Front 20

voluntary manslaughter

Back 20

the unlawful killing of a human being in a sudden heat of passion upon sufficient legal provocation

Front 21

petit/petty larceny

Back 21

any simple theft of any article of goods or the value of less that $200; a small crime

Front 22

cross-examination

Back 22

to tear down the opposing side's witness by asking questions and pointing out inconsistencies

Front 23

direct-examination

Back 23

showing your witness at his/her best by asking questions whose answers tell the story you want told

Front 24

stipulation

Back 24

a demand for something as a condition in an agreement

Front 25

evidence

Back 25

any matter of fact that a party to a lawsuit offers to prove or disprove an issue in the case

Front 26

direct evidence

Back 26

testimony given by a witness who has seen or heard the facts to which he testifies

Front 27

circumstantial evidence

Back 27

proof of facts or circumstances by direct evidence from which you may infer related or connected facts which are reasonable and justified in the light of your experience

Front 28

hearsay

Back 28

a statement other than one made by the declarent while testifying at trial and offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted during the trial

Front 29

indict

Back 29

to charge with a crime

Front 30

mitigate

Back 30

to make less harsh or hostile