Conceptos básicos del sistema estadounidense.

1.- Basic legal terms.

• Legal system: the methods of interpreting laws and putting them into effect.
• Complaint: A written document that states the reason for legal action.
• Plaintiff: A person who accuses another person of a wrongdoing.
• Court: the place where people go to conduct legal business.
• Defendant: Is accused of a crime.
• Paralegal: A person with legal training.
• Civil: Occurring between citizens.
• Verdict: A legal conclusion.
• Attorneys: Speak on behalf of their clients.
• Judge: Makes a decision to resolve the complaint.
• Jury: Listens to arguments for and against the defendant.  

2.- Basic legal concepts.

• Damages: Money as compensation.
• Dispute: An argument or conflict.
• Initiate: Start the process of legal action.
• Due process: Receive justice according to established rules.
• Lawsuit: legal process.

3.- Legal resources.

• Primary materials: Texts that contain laws.
• Form books: Collection of example documents
• Cite: Mention information from primary materials.
• Digest: Book that summarizes cases.
• Resources: (Example: the firm’s legal sources of information are located in the room next to Mrs. Wen’s office.)

4.- Sources of law.

• Legislation: Rules decided by the government.
• Policy: Rules, laws or orders.
• Constitutional law: Laws that relate to government.
• Procedures: Steps to complete an activity.
• Relevant: Connected.

8.- In the courtroom.

• Clerk of the court: A person who assists a judge.
• Court reporter: A person that types everything that is said in court.
• Defense: The side of a case that attempts to prove innocence.
• Prosecution: The side of a case that attempts to prove guilty.
• Juror: A person who listens to a trial and decides if a defendant is guilty or not. 
• Bailiff: An officer who keeps order in court. 

9.- Court process.

• Plea bargain: Chance to say he was guilty in return for a lesser charge. 
• Acquitted: Proven not guilty.
• Discovery: Information from the other side concerning the case. 
• Suppress: Prevent from being shown.

10.- Court etiquette.

• All rise: “Everyone, stand up”.
• Well: Area in front on the bench.
• Protocol: Proper rules and traditions.
• Sworn in: Made to promise to tell the truth.
• Your Honor: The title used to show respect for a judge.

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