SFO test #1 Guaranteed Success A+
Types of Witnesses - Lay Witness: A non-expert individual who testifies based on what they have directly witnessed or
heard. - Expert Witness: An individual recognized as an authority in a specific field, who provides testimony to
clarify facts.
Court Syste...
SFO test #1 Guaranteed Success A+
Types of Witnesses
- Lay Witness: A non-expert individual who testifies based on what they have directly witnessed or
heard.
- Expert Witness: An individual recognized as an authority in a specific field, who provides testimony to
clarify facts.
Court Systems
- Justice of the Peace Court: Handles minor offenses such as Class B and C misdemeanors, infractions,
and traffic violations for youth ages 16-18. It addresses civil cases involving amounts under $5,000,
issues search and arrest warrants, and does not allow for appeals.
- Juvenile Court: Deals with individuals under 18 years old, except those charged with aggravated
murder.
- District Court: Has general jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters and requires valid grounds for
appeals.
- Utah Court of Appeals: Reviews decisions from district and juvenile courts, with no jurisdiction over
first-degree or capital felony appeals.
- Utah Supreme Court: Hears cases from the Court of Appeals, first-degree felonies, capital cases, and
plagiarism of statutes; also establishes rules of evidence and legal procedures.
,Trial Types
- Bench Trial: A trial that occurs solely before a judge, who decides guilt or innocence.
- Jury Trial: A trial in which a jury is responsible for determining guilt or innocence.
- Jury: Composed of 6 to 12 individuals, often laypeople or peers.
Court Procedures
- Initial Appearance: The defendant’s first court appearance, during which they are informed of the
charges and submit a plea.
- Bail Hearing: The judge assesses case facts and sets bail, including the option to deny bail.
- Preliminary Hearing: A court session where prosecutors and defense attorneys present evidence and
question witnesses to determine if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial.
- Trial: The primary court proceeding where evidence is presented and witnesses are confronted.
- Sentencing: The phase in which punishment is assigned, which can occur immediately after conviction.
- Appeals Process: Following a verdict by a judge or jury, the decision may be appealed to a higher court.
Criminal Classifications
- Capital Crime: Punishable by life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
- Felony Classifications:
- First Degree: 5 years to life.
, - Second Degree: 1 to 15 years.
- Third Degree: Up to 5 years.
- Misdemeanor Classifications:
- Class A: Up to 365 days in jail.
- Class B: Up to 180 days in jail.
- Class C: Up to 90 days in jail.
- Infraction: Punishable solely by a fine.
Elements of Crime
- Corpus Delecti: Refers to the body of the crime; the essential elements that must be proven.
- Criminal Act: Known as Actus Reus.
- Criminal Intent: Known as Mens Rea.
- Concurrence: The requirement that intent and action occur simultaneously.
Legal Concepts and Terms
- Statute of Limitations: A time limit for filing suit; it begins when a crime is committed. For example,
rape has an 8-year limit, other felonies have 4 years, misdemeanors have 2 years, and infractions have 1
year.
- Double Jeopardy: Prohibits prosecuting an individual for the same crime in a single trial.
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