Role of the Judge and Other Courtroom Participants
Overview
This document outlines the roles and responsibilities of various participants in a courtroom setting within the Northern District of Florida, U.S. District Court.
The Judge
- Presides over the trial from an elevated platform called a bench.
- Key Responsibilities:
- Maintain order during the proceedings.
- Determine the admissibility of evidence.
- Provide jury instructions regarding applicable laws and decision-making standards before deliberations.
- In bench trials, ascertain facts and make case decisions.
- Sentence convicted criminal defendants.
The Lawyers
- Represent parties sitting at counsel tables or engaging with the judge, witnesses, or jury.
- Tasks include presenting their client's case favorably using legal procedures.
- In criminal cases, a government lawyer (U.S. Attorney or Assistant U.S. Attorney) prosecutes on society's behalf.
- Some parties may represent themselves, known as acting pro se ("on one's own behalf").
The Parties
- Criminal Cases:
- Defendants have a constitutional right to be present.
- Civil Cases:
- Parties may choose to be present.
The Witnesses
- Provide testimony on disputed facts while seated on the witness stand, facing the courtroom.
- Referred to as plaintiff's, government's, or defense witnesses, depending on who called them.
The Courtroom Deputy
- Typically seated near the judge.
- Administers oaths to witnesses, marks exhibits, and assists in the smooth operation of the trial.
The Court Reporter
- Sits near the witness stand.
- Types a verbatim record of the trial using a stenographic machine.
- Responsible for producing a transcript if the case is appealed or requested by a party.
- Note: Transcripts are not available to jurors due to time constraints.
Additional Information
- Juror Scams:
- Be aware of phone and email jury scams specific to the Northern District of Florida.
- Juror Pamphlets:
- Available for different locations: Gainesville, Pensacola, Tallahassee.
For more detailed questions about jury duty, reference the jury duty information page or contact the jury administrator at (850) 521-3705. Additional resources include eJuror login, FAQs for jurors, and other juror-related information.