All Rise

“All Rise”
Every day there are cases in court that determine the justice of our land.   Most of these Cases take place in our state courts.   This is important to the citizens of the US in every which way, with so many aspects and parameters to the US law, a simple case that seems to be easy in deciding could turn into a confusing trial in a matter of seconds.   Since judges in the US make decisions based on previous results, each of these cases cannot be taken lightly, because are all entitled to a fair trial.   Our law could be looked at in many different angles; the law is not always clear-cut.   Recently I got the opportunity to examine a court proceeding, it was fascinating to able to see firsthand how the procedures of a trial actually take place live.   Everyone from the Bailiff, who has been there for 32 years, to the court reporter who types faster than I can speak, to the head of the court, Judge Weiman, plays a very important role during a court case.
The case that I sat through dealt with a woman suing a grocery company (Food Town) on September 2005 because of a spill in one of the isles, which made her fall and injure her.   Seems like an easy case doesn’t it? Well it’s not even close to easy, the judge has to consider various aspects before he can make the final verdict, many questions are asked before the actual decision is made.   Since this was a civil case then the plaintiff only needs to prove the preponderance of the evidence, meaning that he/she only has to have enough evidence that proves that a reasonable person would actually suffer an injury if they were in the same incident.   With this being said, the defendant could approach this trial in reverse by asking the judge questions like, how long was the spill there? Why are we liable over an accident? Or in this case the women had suffered injuries to her back before all this, why are we being sued for injuries she already had? Both sides will have to defend their sides, making sure there on top...