Judges and Courts: A Look at the Judicial Branch

Judges and Courts: A Look at the Judicial Branch — page 3
Who’s Who Like any drama courts have a cast of characters The plaintiff is the person who goes to court for help The defendant is the person accused of doing something wrong Lawyers argue each side of the case They ask witnesses questions Witnesses have special knowledge of the case A group of people called a jury listens to the case They decide if the defendant is guilty Sometimes plaintiffs and defendants accept a jury’s decision Other times they appeal This means they go to another court to try to get the decision changed This picture shows a lawyer LefT asking a witness rigHT questions in front of a judge CenTer A judge’s job is to know the law and to keep the court in order 6