Courtroom Expectations

Person	Role
Plaintiff (civil case)	In a civil case, the person who brought the case to court is called the plaintiff.
Defendant (civil case)	The person being sued in a civil case is called the defendant.
Defendant (criminal case)	A person who has been charged with a crime is the defendant in a criminal case.
Attorneys or counsel	Attorneys representing the plaintiff, defendant, or the government in a criminal case are also referred to as counsel. Depending on who they represent and what court you are in, you may hear them called counsel for the plaintiff, plaintiff's attorney, counsel for the defendant, or defense attorney. An attorney representing the government in a criminal case is called the prosecuting or Commonwealth's attorney.
Court reporter	The court reporter keeps the official record by recording every word spoken during the trial.
Bailiff	The bailiff keeps order, maintains the security of the court, and helps the judge and the jury as needed.
Clerk of court	The clerk of court, also called the clerk, maintains the court files and preserves the evidence presented during the trial. The clerk may also administer the oaths to jurors and witnesses.
Witnesses	Each side in a trial will probably have a number of witnesses who have information about the dispute. Very often, the judge will ask them to wait outside the courtroom until it is their turn to testify. This is done so they won't hear each other's testimony and be influenced by it.

Sequence of a Trial

I. Selection of a Jury

II. Opening Statements

A. Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case)

B. Defendant's attorney

III. Testimony of Witnesses and Presentation of Evidence B

A. Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case)

B. Defendant's attorney

1. Direct examination of defendant's witnesses by defendant's attorney

2. Cross-examination of defendant's witnesses by plaintiff's attorney

3. Redirect examination of defendant's witnesses by defendant's attorney

IV.Selection and Preparation of Jury Instructions

V. Jury Instructions Presented to the Jury

VI. Closing Arguments

A. Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case)

B. Defendant's attorney

C. Plaintiff's attorney (or prosecuting/Commonwealth's attorney for a criminal case) to close the case

VII. Jury Deliberations

VIII. Verdict of Jury