Communication in the Courtroom
Communication in the courtroom
Peggy S. Torres
Western International University
CRB-360-3722-Communication Criminal Justice-03/2010
Professor Raymond November
April 5, 2010
Communication in the courtroom
Introduction Communication influences the way people perceive one another and how facts are interpreted. Information given and received is dependant on how successful the communication is conveyed. Communication in a courtroom involves several participants, similar to a theatrical play. The main participants, or characters, are the Judge, the jury, the plaintiff’s attorney, the defendant’s attorney, the plaintiff, the defendant, court stenographer and witnesses. This paper will discuss communication techniques largely used by the attorneys. After all, who are best actors?
When does communication start? The communication process begins when potential jurors are summoned by written communication through the United States Postal System to attend court for jury selection. Each juror is directed to the appropriate courtroom through verbal communication by court officers. Once inside the courtroom, the court clerk verbally calls out each jurors name to complete attendance. Jurors raise their hands to acknowledge their presence. A written questionnaire is distributed to each juror to complete while simultaneously viewing a video covering the history of jury duty.
Judge’s Introduction The Judge verbally introduces himself. As a form of introduction, the Judge then visually and verbally directs the jurors’ attention towards the court clerk, the stenographer, the court officers, and the attorneys representing the plaintiff and defendant. After introducing key players in the courtroom, the Judge gives a brief overview of how jury duty has been conducted throughout history. Rules and procedures of the court are verbally reviewed and presented to all jurors by the Judge. This communication process informs the jurors what to
Peggy S. Torres
Western International University
CRB-360-3722-Communication Criminal Justice-03/2010
Professor Raymond November
April 5, 2010
Communication in the courtroom
Introduction Communication influences the way people perceive one another and how facts are interpreted. Information given and received is dependant on how successful the communication is conveyed. Communication in a courtroom involves several participants, similar to a theatrical play. The main participants, or characters, are the Judge, the jury, the plaintiff’s attorney, the defendant’s attorney, the plaintiff, the defendant, court stenographer and witnesses. This paper will discuss communication techniques largely used by the attorneys. After all, who are best actors?
When does communication start? The communication process begins when potential jurors are summoned by written communication through the United States Postal System to attend court for jury selection. Each juror is directed to the appropriate courtroom through verbal communication by court officers. Once inside the courtroom, the court clerk verbally calls out each jurors name to complete attendance. Jurors raise their hands to acknowledge their presence. A written questionnaire is distributed to each juror to complete while simultaneously viewing a video covering the history of jury duty.
Judge’s Introduction The Judge verbally introduces himself. As a form of introduction, the Judge then visually and verbally directs the jurors’ attention towards the court clerk, the stenographer, the court officers, and the attorneys representing the plaintiff and defendant. After introducing key players in the courtroom, the Judge gives a brief overview of how jury duty has been conducted throughout history. Rules and procedures of the court are verbally reviewed and presented to all jurors by the Judge. This communication process informs the jurors what to