Global View - Understanding a Trial (C0204)

Huazhe Lei大约 2 分钟

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

Supplementary Vocabulary

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.