Justice Navigator
Key People in the Courtroom
Learn about the jobs of the different people you will see in court.
The Judge
The judge is the person in charge of the courtroom. They act as a neutral referee, making sure everyone follows the rules of the law. They make legal decisions, and if there is no jury, they also decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. They also decide the sentence.
The Prosecutor / District Attorney (DA)
This is the lawyer who represents the government (the "state" or the "people"). Their job is to prove that the defendant committed a crime.
The Defense Attorney
This is the lawyer who represents the defendant. Their job is to protect the defendant's rights and challenge the prosecutor's case. If a defendant cannot afford a lawyer, one will be provided for free (a public defender).
The Jury (Trial or Petit Jury)
This is a group of citizens from the community (usually 12 in a felony case) who listen to the evidence at a trial. Their job is to decide the facts and determine if the defendant is guilty or not guilty. Their decision must be unanimous.
The Grand Jury
This is a different type of jury that meets in secret at the beginning of a felony case. They do not decide guilt. Their only job is to hear the prosecutor's evidence and decide if there is enough of it to formally charge the defendant with a crime. This is called an "indictment."
The Court Officer / Bailiff
This is a uniformed law enforcement officer whose job is to keep everyone in the courtroom safe and maintain order. They may escort the defendant and are responsible for the security of the courthouse.
The Court Clerk
The clerk is the judge's main administrative assistant. They handle all the paperwork for a case, swear in witnesses, and manage the physical evidence that is presented during a trial.
The Court Reporter / Stenographer
This person's job is to create an exact, word-for-word record of everything that is said in court. They use a special machine (a stenotype) to type very quickly. This official transcript is very important if a case is appealed later.