Explore the roles of the court by moving your mouse over the people represented in the courtroom image.
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Witnesses
Witnesses give testimony about disputed facts in the case. -
Court Reporter/Court Clerk
The court reporter prepares the official record of the trial, producing a word-for-word written transcript of the proceedings.
The court clerk is the chief administrative officer for the court, overseeing the management of non-judicial functions.
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Judge
The judge presides over the proceedings to see that the order is maintained. The judge determines the admissibility of evidence and gives the jury instructions about the law. If there is no jury, the judge determines the facts and decides the case after a bench trial. In a criminal case, the judge sentences convicted criminal defendants. -
Jury
The jury's job is to decide the facts and what actually happened. The jury must decide what evidence to believe and what evidence to reject. In civil cases, the jury also determines damages, if any. -
Lawyers
The lawyers task is to present the facts that put his or her client's case in the most favorable light. Lawyers also are responsible for providing the judge with applicable law. -
Courtroom Deputy
The courtroom Deputy administers oaths to witnesses, marks the exhibits, and helps the judge keep the trial running smoothly. -
United States Marshals/Pretrial Services Officers/Probation Officers
The United States Marshals Service is a federal law enforcement agency. It provides security for the judges, witnesses, lawyers and jurors. It also transports prisoners to the courtroom. The Marshals Service is responsible for managing property acquired by criminals through illegal activities.
Pretrial services officers investigate the background of defendants arrested in criminal cases to assist the judge in determining whether to release or detain the defendant before trial. If a defendant is released, pretrial services officers supervise the defendant in the community.
Probation officers gather information after a person is convicted of a crime to assist the court in imposing a fair sentence. Probation officers also supervise offenders released to the community after sentencing or their release from prison.
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Plaintiff and Defendant
The plaintiff is the party bringing the complaint. The defendant is the party complained against or accused of the crime.