This document describes key elements of a typical courtroom layout and the adversarial legal process. The layout positions the judge above the defendant and jury, with the prosecution and defense counsel facing each other below to emphasize the opposing nature of civil trials. Protections of the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination and 6th Amendment rights to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury are present. The court reporter ensures a complete record for potential appeals.

2. Typical courtroom layoutTypical courtroom layout
1.1. How does the layoutHow does the layout
lend itself to anlend itself to an
adversarialadversarial process?process?
2.2. How do you knowHow do you know
this is athis is a civilcivil trialtrial
[not a[not a criminalcriminal trial]?trial]?
3.3. Thinking aboutThinking about
appeals, why is theappeals, why is the
court reporter vital?court reporter vital?
4.4. What protection ofWhat protection of
thethe 55thth
amendmentamendment isis
present?present?
5.5. What protections ofWhat protections of
thethe 66thth
amendmentamendment
are present here?are present here?
6.6. What must be trueWhat must be true
of the jury?of the jury?
7.7. What is the judge’sWhat is the judge’s
role?role?
#4:#4: due process of law
#5#5: defendant knows charges; public trial; jury of peers; counsel
for the defense; confront witnesses; call own witnesses

3. Presumption of innocence;
due process and equal
protection of law; search
warrant
Habeas corpus; no
bills of attainder; ex
post facto laws
No excessive bail
Miranda rights: self
incrimination; counsel
present during questioning
Indictment by grand
jury
Informed of charges
Right to counsel
Presumption of innocence
Speedy & public trial
Impartial jury; cross
examine witnesses;
call witnesses; self-
incrimination; right to
counsel
Prosecution shares
information; defense goes
last; complete records
Unanimous decision;
reasonable doubt
No cruel/unusual
punishment; separate
jury for death sentence
No double jeopardy
Motion for appeal