Here is a simple guide to some of the words you might hear in court.

• Accused: The person who has been charged with a crime.
• Adjournment: When the judge postpones a court hearing to a later date.
• Bail: An order that allows an accused person to be released from custody (jail) while they wait for their trial, often with conditions they must follow.
• Contempt of Court: Disobeying a court order or showing disrespect to the court (for example, by yelling or refusing to answer questions), which is a chargeable offence.
• Crown: The lawyer (or team of lawyers) who represents the government and is responsible for proving the accused is guilty. Also called the "prosecution."
• Custody: Being held by police or in a jail.
• Defendant: The person who is being sued in a civil case (like a Small Claim).
• Disclosure: The collection of evidence that the Crown has against an accused person (e.g., police reports, witness statements). The Crown must share this with the accused and their lawyer.
• Duty Counsel: A free lawyer who is at the courthouse to give brief legal advice and help people who do not have their own lawyer for their hearing.
• Plea: The accused person's formal answer to a criminal charge (e.g., "guilty" or "not guilty").
• Sentencing: The part of the court process where a judge decides the penalty (sentence) for a person who has been found guilty of a crime.
• Summons: An official legal document that orders you to appear in court at a specific time and place (e.g., as a witness, for jury duty, or as the accused).
• Testify: To give evidence or answer questions under oath in court.