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Courtroom Roles

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Roles of a Courtroom There are many responsibilities when working in the government particularly when it is protecting the public’s safety and the sentencing of those who commit crimes. Matters such as adoption, divorce, juvenile matters, and custody are a few issues that must go through the court system. The individuals such as jurors, prosecutors, defense attorneys, witnesses, victims, defendants, and judges all play an instrumental role during the court process. In addition to these key roles, the courtroom clerk and reporter are administrative roles that allow the court rooms daily operations to run smoothly and keep a record of the preceding. Understanding that it takes these roles to work as a team all playing their part to accomplish the objective. The judge is the main authority in a courtroom. They are appointed differently in federal and state courts. In a federal court the judge is appointed by the President of the United States with the advice and approval of the Senate. The federal judge serves a life term unless he or she is impeached, retires, or dies. The state judge can be appointed by the governor but usually are required to run for election and voted by the people. The judge’s main responsibility in a courtroom is to safeguard the rights of the accused and the interests of the public. They oversee trials and ensure both parties are representing their case under the law ("Role of the Judge and Other Courtroom Participants ", n.d.). The judge hears all witnesses and evidence presented to the court and assesses the argument of both parties and makes a ruling based on the evidence, arguments, and their interpretation of the law. Witnesses are called upon by lawyers who claim to have information relevant to the matter of interest. There are different types of witnesses, lay, expert, character, eye, and material. A lay witness

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