judicial proceedings
Formal legal processes
Judicial proceedings are the formal processes by which courts administer justice—hearings, trials, motions, and related legal actions conducted before a judge.
The term encompasses everything from arraignments to appeals: The judicial proceedings lasted three months.
Distinguished from informal dispute resolution, judicial proceedings follow established rules of procedure and evidence, creating an official record.
- juryLegal decision-making body
- jury dutyRequired courtroom participation
- bench trialCourt case, judge only
- judgeOne who decides
- plaintiffCivil case initiator
defendant · class action · witness · expert witness · bench · habeas corpus · voir dire · cross-examination · sentencing · gag order · arraignment · conviction · arbitration · litigation · burden of proof · trial · opening statements · precedent
- Court Transparencytransparency, open justice, public access, court records, public hearings
- legal defensesself-defense, alibi, affirmative defense, insanity defense, insanity
- legal reportscourt decisions, court opinions, judgments, court transcripts, trial transcripts
- Tribal Courtstribal court, tribal justice, tribal law, chief judge, appellate court
- courtsfamily court, civil court, district court, criminal court, circuit court
- ancient lawsCode of Hammurabi, Hammurabi, Roman law, Twelve Tables, Ten Commandments
judicial proceedingsbackroom deal
Secret unofficial agreement
out-of-court settlement · negotiation · mediation · vigilante justice · conciliation
judicial proceedingssummary execution
Killing without formal trial
lynch mob · kangaroo court · show trial · star chamber · arbitrary detention
judicial proceedingsnon-prosecution
Declining to press charges
impunity · turning a blind eye · looking the other way · letting it go · inaction