Here’s a table of common courtroom phrases along with their meanings and examples of usage:
| Phrase | Meaning | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| “Objection!” | A formal protest against an attorney’s question or evidence. | “Objection! That evidence is irrelevant.” |
| “Sustained” | The judge agrees with the objection and will not allow the evidence or question. | “The objection is sustained; the witness cannot answer.” |
| “Overruled” | The judge disagrees with the objection and allows the evidence or question. | “The objection is overruled; you may continue.” |
| “The witness is excused” | The witness can leave the courtroom after giving their testimony. | “Thank you for your testimony; you are excused.” |
| “Take the stand” | To testify in court as a witness. | “The next witness is called to take the stand.” |
| “Cross-examination” | The questioning of a witness by the opposing party after the direct examination. | “During cross-examination, the defense challenged her credibility.” |
| “Direct examination” | The initial questioning of a witness by the party that called them. | “The lawyer conducted a direct examination of the plaintiff.” |
| “Beyond a reasonable doubt” | The standard of proof required in criminal cases. | “The jury must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant’s guilt.” |
| “Hearsay” | Testimony that is not based on a witness’s personal knowledge but rather on what others have said. | “The statement is hearsay and cannot be admitted as evidence.” |
| “Motion” | A formal request made to the court for a specific action or ruling. | “The defense filed a motion to dismiss the charges.” |
| “Verdict” | The decision made by a jury or judge in a trial. | “The jury reached a unanimous verdict of not guilty.” |
| “Innocent until proven guilty” | A legal principle that one is considered innocent unless proven otherwise. | “The defendant is innocent until proven guilty.” |
| “Testimony” | A formal statement made by a witness under oath. | “Her testimony provided crucial evidence in the case.” |
| “Court adjourned” | The court session is concluded and will reconvene later. | “The judge announced that court is adjourned until tomorrow.” |
If you need more phrases or further explanations, feel free to ask!