Law Stack Exchange
Law Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [court]

For questions regarding the court system, courtroom procedure, or the process of interaction with a court of law. Do not use for questions that are more generally about a legal case handled by a court; instead, use other tags about the specifics of the case.

243 questions
73
votes
4 answers

What happens if I negatively answer the court oath regarding the truth?

Bailiff: (to the witness) Please raise your right hand. Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? Witness: No. What would happen? Unfortunately, in the limited research I did, I could not find a definitive…
Aloha
  • 741
  • 1
  • 5
  • 6
41
votes
4 answers

Why did this US prosecutor keep asking whether documents would refresh a witness's memory?

Background I served on a jury during a criminal trial in the United States several years ago. There was a strangely formal interaction that repeated itself a few times during the trial. The prosecutor, while holding some document, would ask a…
Steve V.
  • 706
  • 5
  • 8
33
votes
1 answer

Held indefinitely for contempt of court?

Tommy Gregory Thompson is a former deep-sea treasure hunter and is about to mark his fifth year in jail for contempt of court for refusing to disclose the whereabouts of 500 missing coins made from gold found in an historic shipwreck. The normal…
Digital fire
  • 5,648
  • 5
  • 43
  • 76
22
votes
8 answers

What is the purpose of being tried by a "jury of your peers"?

If you are facing criminal charges (in the United States), there is a person in the court (the judge) who is an expert in law, has extensive experience, and is (at least theoretically) impartial. And instead of having that person decide the case, it…
SegNerd
  • 6,355
  • 3
  • 37
  • 61
22
votes
1 answer

What is the penalty for a bad-acting juror?

Let's say Bob is part of the jury during a trial. But Bob is a dishonest/bad juror. What penalties could he face, and what party would be prosecuting him? The particular scenarios I have in mind are: Bob happily blabs to the media and exposes all…
chausies
  • 6,242
  • 3
  • 39
  • 77
21
votes
4 answers

UK - Working without a contract. I resign and guy wants to sue me

I am a foreigner from overseas I just arrived in UK 3 months ago. I have been working for a small startup in UK as CTO, my employer didn't want to give me an employment contract of any type, or founders agreement, he said he had given me so many…
EthicalGuy
  • 319
  • 2
  • 3
20
votes
5 answers

Are underage people allowed to defend themselves in court?

Bob is underage, yet commits a severe criminal act that's worthy of going to trial. Normally, one is allowed to represent themselves in court, however ill-advised that may be. But is Bob, underage as he is, allowed that same right? Feel free to set…
chausies
  • 6,242
  • 3
  • 39
  • 77
20
votes
3 answers

Is a potential juror protected for what they say during jury selection?

Walter and Bob are potential jurors for the same trial for a white supremacist. Walter happens to believe in white supremacy. Bob happens to be Walter's boss (or even just a potential employer). During jury selection, they ask Walter about anything…
chausies
  • 6,242
  • 3
  • 39
  • 77
18
votes
2 answers

Why are there two case numbers for United States v. Trump?

There are two almost identical case numbers assigned for the case United States v. Trump. The dockets are almost identical. 1:23-cr-00257-TSC USA v. TRUMP PACER CourtListener 1:23-cr-00257-TSC-1 - TRUMP, DONALD J. PACER CourtListener What is the…
Daniel McDonald
  • 183
  • 1
  • 6
16
votes
2 answers

How is a plea agreement NOT a “threat or promise”?

I was viewing a televised case, the Judge asks the defendant “have any threats or promises been made to you to deliver this plea” before the defendant delivers their guilty plea as part of a plea bargain. I was wondering, how is a plea bargain/plea…
Mave
  • 163
  • 1
  • 5
15
votes
3 answers

How can a court pause a law?

It often happens in the United States that a federal court decides to pause a law before it can go into effect. Of course, courts can do this, but how does this actually work? What "thing" does the court do to pause a law?
idk
  • 153
  • 1
  • 5
14
votes
4 answers

Are witnesses allowed to give private testimonies?

Alice's grandpa Greg is on trial. Alice's testimony is crucial to get Greg convicted. But, for some reason or another, Alice doesn't want to appear in court as a witness in front of Greg to badmouth him. Is Alice allowed to give private testimony to…
chausies
  • 6,242
  • 3
  • 39
  • 77
13
votes
2 answers

If a witness asks for their lawyer during a trial, how is it handled?

A criminal trial is going on. Andy the Attorney asks Walter the Witness some questions. After a while, Walter realizes he's been an idiot, and says he wants his Lawyer Larry. How does the court proceed? Do they set up a second trial with Walter and…
chausies
  • 6,242
  • 3
  • 39
  • 77
13
votes
5 answers

Is there any limit to the rate at which court cases can be filed?

Is there a limit to the rate at which a person can file court cases? What if someone purposefully tries to file a court case every minute to disrupt the court? Can that person be punished in India or the USA?
protectgoodlivingbeingask
  • 353
  • 4
  • 17
12
votes
1 answer

Can a witness lodge an objection in response to a question?

Suppose that a lawyer asks a question that may breach some court protocol. Is it acceptable for a witness to turn to the judge and say "Objection!" and possibly go on to explain the nature of the objection, whereupon the judge makes a ruling?
chasly - supports Monica
  • 1,065
  • 9
  • 15
1
2 3
…
16 17