case-in-chief
Primary evidence phase
Case-in-chief is the main portion of a trial where a party presents its primary evidence and witnesses to prove its claims.
The prosecution or plaintiff presents first, followed by the defense.
The state rested its case-in-chief after calling twelve witnesses.
The term distinguishes this core presentation from rebuttal or procedural phases.
Formal charge from jury
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- chargesAmounts owed or alleged
- allegationAssertion lacking proof
accusation · felony · misdemeanor · guilt · conviction · inculpatory · probative · materiality
Judicial proceedings chamber
- juryLegal decision-making body
- judgeOne who decides
- verdictOfficial court decision
- benchShared seating surface
deliberation · sidebar · docket · briefs · pleadings · objection · sustained · overruled
Defense of location
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
- exculpatoryClearing of wrongdoing
self-defense · justification · mitigation · duress · entrapment · immunity · impeachment · counter-evidence
Item publicly displayed
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
- affidavitSworn written statement
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
- discoveryAct of finding something
forensic · documentary · demonstrative · testimonial · authentication · foundation · stipulation · circumstantial
One who attests
- swornBound by formal promise
- testifyGive sworn evidence
- oathFormal binding promise
- narrativeAccount of events
credibility · redirect · foundation · competency · eyewitness · recollection
indictment
Formal charge from jury
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
- prosecutorGovernment's trial lawyer
- chargesAmounts owed or alleged
allegation · accusation · felony · misdemeanor · guilt · conviction · inculpatory · probative · materiality · relevance
courtroom
Judicial proceedings chamber
bench · deliberation · sidebar · docket · briefs · pleadings · objection · sustained · overruled · resting
alibi
Defense of location
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- acquittalFormal clearing of charges
- exonerationOfficial clearing of blame
exculpatory · self-defense · justification · mitigation · duress · entrapment · immunity · impeachment · counter-evidence · surrebuttal
exhibit
Item publicly displayed
- corroborateConfirm with supporting evidence
- affidavitSworn written statement
- depositionFormal testimony under oath
discovery · forensic · documentary · demonstrative · testimonial · authentication · foundation · stipulation · circumstantial
witness
One who attests
narrative · credibility · redirect · foundation · competency · eyewitness · recollection
case-in-chiefrebuttal
Formal response disputing claims
surrebuttal · rejoinder · reply · closing argument · answer
case, chief, cases, chiefs, casing, cased, chieftain, chiefly, chieftaincy