BASIC LEGAL TERMS (PEOPLE IN LEGAL)

 ( PEOPLE IN LEGAL)

 BASIC LEGAL TERMS

                JURY                                                                      DEFENDANT

                                 

                   JUDGE                                                                     ATTORNEY

                     





                   COMPLAINT                                                      PARALEGAL

CHAPTER 1

People in the legal system: Civil Case

A civil case begins with a plaintiff. He or she has a complaint about the actions of another person or organization. The Plaintiff files the complaint with a court.

The person or organization accused of a wrongdoing is the defendant. Both the plaintiff and the defendant usually havae attorneys. The attorneys speak on behalf of their clients. A paralegal, a person with legal training, may assist the attorney.

In some cases, a jury listens to arguments for and against the defendant, Then they decide on a verdict.     Finally, the judge makes a decision to resolve the complaint.

EXERCISES:

1. Read the text and complete the table using information from the text.

PERSON	ROLE OF JOB
1. Plaintiff	Files a complaint
2. Defendant	Is acussed of a crime
Attorneys	3.speak on behalf of their clients
Paralegal	4. assist the attorney
5. Judge	Resolves a complaint
6. Jury	Listens to arguments

2. Match the words (1-7) with the definitions (A-G)

1.__B__ verdict                          5.__F__ paralegal

2.__A__ legal system                  6.__E__ plaintiff

3.__D__ court                            7.__G__ civil

4.__C__ complaint

A. the methods of interpreting laws and putting them into effect.

B. a legal conclusion

C. a wwritten document that states the reason for legal action

D. the place where peoples go to conduct legal business

E.  a person who accuses another person of a wrongdoing

F.  an attorney's assistant with specialized legal training

G. occurring between citizens

3. Check (X) the sentences that uses the underlined parts correctly

1. _____ A   The plaintiff delivered a verdict at the end of the trial.

    __X__B   The judge listened to the attorney's arguments.

2. _____ A    Twelve paralegals determined the outcome of the cases.

    __X__B    The jury decided that the man was not guilty.

3. __X__A    The defendant hired an attorney to prove that he was innocent.

    _____ B    In court, the plaintiff always makes the final decision.

4. __X__A    Mr. Meaner's attorney represented him during the trial.

    _____ B    What verdict is the defendant acussed of?.