What do judges say in court

Make a list of your exhibits to keep track of them. Fill out a proposed Child Support Order. Bring four copies of everything. Bring any other documents you feel support your position. Write a trial memo. Try to write a short summary of what you want and why.

Break it down into sections: parenting plan, child support and maintenance, division of property, debts. This is stressful. Do your best to stay calm. The judge may give you choices how to present testimony. You can:. Plan for whichever you choose. Write notes for yourself about the important points in your case. Judges do not care for long testimony, especially when it is not relevant related to the case. The judge will appreciate a brief clear statement of what you want and why you think you should have it.

Summarize your main points. Then give more explanation. You must ask your witnesses questions. You will also have a chance to question the other side's witnesses. Write out the questions you believe are important to ask beforehand so you do not forget them. List points you want to make so you can check them off as you make them.

You can practice with your witnesses ahead of time. Stress to them that they must tell the truth. In the courtroom, you start by asking the witness their name and address. If your witness is a counselor or other professional, ask:. Then ask specific questions about the information they have about your case. With the other side's witnesses, the other side will question them first.

The judge will give you a chance to "cross-examine" them ask them your own questions. Never ask a question you do not know the answer to. The answer may hurt your case more than help you. You can choose not to cross-examine a witness if you think they will just repeat their direct testimony.

It might be better to wait and contradict their testimony, either with your own testimony or with the testimony of one of your witnesses. In King County, you can make an appointment for a free half-hour with a lawyer at a Neighborhood Legal Clinic. You can also contact your local bar association for more resources. Fill out all your paperwork before going in for your appointment.

This way, the lawyer can better answer your questions. Visit Northwest Justice Project to find out how to get legal help. Read our latest Newsletter. LSC's support for this website is limited to those activities that are consistent with LSC restrictions. L aw H elp. Text size: A A A. Washington LawHelp Helpful information about the law in Washington.

Get Legal Help Eviction Help. Search for resources and organizations in this language Advanced Search. We wrote these tips for family law cases but you can also use most of them in other types of civil cases. You can find all the fact sheets we link to here at WashingtonLawHelp. This might help. Do I need a lawyer? How do I find a lawyer? What if I cannot afford a lawyer? Getting ready for and taking part in a trial or hearing is complicated.

We offer just a few tips here. What should I know about witnesses? I gave the other party my witness list. They did not give me one. Who should my witnesses be? The court might expect friends and relatives to support your story. How can I make sure my witnesses come to trial?

Do I need to give the court any forms? Whenever you file something with the court, you must give the other party a copy of it.

What else should I bring to court? How should I handle myself in court? You can: Ask yourself questions and then answer them. Tell a short story about your side of the case. How do I question witnesses?

If your witness is a counselor or other professional, ask: what their job is what their educational degrees are how long they have been doing their job Then ask specific questions about the information they have about your case. What if I need more help? Be in the courtroom at least fifteen minutes before the trial is set to start. Never be late. Such a plea is often made for purposes of negotiating a deal with the prosecutor for lesser charges or a sentence.

To make such a request is "to appeal" or "to take an appeal. Appeals can be made for a variety of reasons including improper procedure and asking the court to change its interpretation of the law. Arrest warrants are issued by a judge after a showing of probable cause. Under the protection of the bankruptcy court, debtors may discharge their debts, perhaps by paying a portion of each debt. Bankruptcy judges preside over these proceedings.

In a jury trial, the jury decides the facts. Defendants will occasionally waive the right to a jury trial and choose to have a bench trial. The prosecution must prove the guilt so that there is no reasonable doubt to the jury that the defendant is guilty.

Courts are often bound by the decisions of appellate courts with authority to review their decisions. For example, district courts are bound by the decisions of the court of appeals that can review their cases, and all courts — both state and federal — are bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. In the federal system, it applies to crimes such as first degree murder, genocide, and treason.

For example, a trial court may use a prior decision from the Supreme Court that has similar issues. The chief judge also decides cases, and the choice of chief judges is determined by seniority.

It is based on court decisions rather than statutes passed by the legislature. Judges sometimes use "court" to refer to themselves in the third person, as in "the court has read the briefs. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.

They are then said to be sitting en banc. Common exhibits include contracts, weapons, and photographs. Constitution, acts of Congress, and treaties. In some cases, state courts can decide these issues, too, but the cases can always be brought in federal courts. Lawyers must file a variety of documents throughout the life of a case. As it is used in federal criminal cases, "the government" refers to the lawyers of the U. Attorney's office who are prosecuting the case.

Grand jury proceedings are closed to the public, and the person suspected of having committed the crime is not entitled to be present or have an attorney present. States are not required to use grand juries, but the federal government must do so under the Constitution.

A prisoner wanting to argue that there is not sufficient cause to be imprisoned would file a writ of habeas corpus. It may also be used to bring a person in custody before the court to give testimony, or to be prosecuted.

Will the record reflect that the witness has identified the defendant? Will you call the first next case, Mr. Would you raise your right hand? Would you indicate…? Would you describe …?

Would you point someone out? Would you look at…? Would you state for the record…? Would you label that as car, building, etc. You are excused. You can proceed, Mr. You can resume your seat. You can answer the question. You have exhausted that subject, please move on. You may answer the question. You may be seated. You may cross-examine, counsel. You may inquire, Mr. You may proceed. You may step down.

Are you familiar with this? Do you recall making this statement? Do you recall this question? Do you recognize that exhibit? Do you swear that this is a true and accurate statement? Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God? Do you swear to well and truly interpret these proceedings, so help you God? Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the answers you are about to give, touching upon your qualifications to serve as jurors in this case now before the court, will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Oath to prospective jurors Do you want the jury polled? Do you wish to say anything before sentence is imposed? Does the picture, etc. Does that refresh your recollection? Did you discuss cocaine, etc.? Did you go to trial or did you plead guilty? Did you notice anything about the envelope, etc. Did you advise someone of his rights? Did there come a time when you left the house, etc.

Have you filed a notice of appearance? Have you had any involvement with the criminal justice system, etc. Have you had occasion to be involved with an investigation, etc.

Have you ever been involved in drugs, etc. Have you formed an opinion as to the cause of death, etc. Have you reached a verdict? Have you read the pre-sentence report? Have you received a copy of the complaint?

Have you retained a lawyer or has one been appointed for you? Have you reviewed the pre-sentence report with your client? Is there anything that would prevent you from serving fairly and impartially? Is that your testimony? Is there any reason why sentence should not be imposed at this time? Is time excluded, your Honor? Is it fair to state that you were living together, etc. Juror No. X , is that your verdict? What was your state of mind regarding the reliability of the informant?

Would that refresh your recollection? Would you like the jury polled? Would you like to be heard? Would you like to say anything on your own behalf? You and each of you, do solemnly swear or affirm that you will well and truly try this case before you, and a true verdict render, according to the evidence and the law so help you God?

Oath to jurors on trial You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say may be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult your lawyer and insure his presence at your interrogation. Do you understand each and every right that has been explained to you? Having all these rights in mind, do you wish to talk to me now? Requests for information Have you been threatened or coerced into pleading guilty?

How are you employed? How much schooling have you had? How do you plead? How do you plead to the charge contained in count X? How do you recognize that exhibit, etc.

What are your current duties? What happened next? What, if anything, did you do? What, if anything, did you say?