12 Angry Men

12 Angry Men Glossary

Abstain

Refrain from (in this case, voting).

Acquit

To find a defendant 'not guilty' of a charge.

Bigot

Someone who is intolerant of someone else's beliefs, opinions, race, ethnicity, or other differing characteristic.

Burden of proof

The requirement to prove one's own case over another. In America, the burden of proof is on the prosecution, meaning that they must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt.

Coroner

One who examines a dead body.

Cross-examine

To question a witness called to testify for the other side.

Defendant

Someone who is charged with a crime and brought to trial.

Deliberate

To discuss the facts of a case and come to a conclusion or guilt or innocence.

Elevated Train

An above-ground public transportation train system.

Evidence

That which is used to prove a point or case (in a court of law).

Homicide

Murder

Hung Jury

When a jury cannot come to a unanimous decision, and the case must be retried in front of a new jury.

Premeditated

Planned or thought out.

Prosecutor

A lawyer who presents evidence in court to try to prove the defendant guilty.

Reasonable doubt

The standard of evidence required to convict someone of a crime in America.

Switchblade knife

A special kind of pocket knife with a blade contained in the handle which opens automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle is activated.

Trial

The public forum in which a case is tried before a judge and jury.

Unanimous

All members in agreement.

Verdict

The decision of guilt or innocence issued by a jury after a trial.

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