| Appeal | A request made to a higher court to review the judgment of a lower court for legal errors. |
| Burden of Proof | The responsibility of the plaintiff to prove the defendant’s negligence in a civil trial by a preponderance of evidence. |
| Closing Arguments | The final opportunity for attorneys to summarize their case and persuade the jury in favor of their client. |
| Deposition | A formal interview conducted under oath, where attorneys question witnesses and parties involved in the case. |
| Discovery Phase | The pre-trial stage where both parties gather evidence and information through written discovery and depositions. |
| Expert Witness | A professional who provides an expert opinion on specific aspects of the case, such as accident reconstruction. |
| Hung Jury | A jury that cannot reach a unanimous or majority verdict, potentially resulting in a mistrial and retrial. |
| Interrogatories | Written questions sent by one party to another during the discovery phase, which must be answered under oath. |
| Judgment | The official decision of the court, based on the jury’s verdict or a judge’s ruling. |
| Jury Deliberation | The process where jurors discuss the evidence and arguments presented to reach a verdict. |
| Jury Instructions | Guidelines provided by the judge to help jurors understand the legal standards they must apply when deliberating. |
| Jury Selection | The process where potential jurors are questioned to determine their impartiality and suitability for the case. |
| Mediation | A process where a neutral third party facilitates negotiations between parties to reach a settlement agreement. |
| Motion | A request made to the court to address specific issues before or during the trial. |
| Opening Statements | The initial opportunity for attorneys to outline their version of the events and the evidence they will present. |
| Preponderance of Evidence | The standard of proof in civil trials, requiring the plaintiff to prove it is more likely than not that the defendant was negligent. |
| Settlement | A mutually agreed-upon resolution between parties, typically involving financial compensation, without going to trial. |
| Summary Judgment | A pre-trial motion requesting that the judge rule in favor of one party without going to trial, based on the evidence presented. |
| Trial Strategy | The plan developed by an attorney to present their case, including key witnesses, expert testimony, and evidence. |
| Verdict | The decision reached by the jury, determining whether the defendant is liable and awarding compensation if appropriate. |