Latin-rooted courtroom terms that trip up more than just law students.
voir direvwahr DEER
Jury-selection process, French in origin.
subpoenasuh-PEE-nuh
Silent B — the spelling hides the real sound completely.
prima faciePRY-muh FAY-shuh
Latin for "at first sight".
habeas corpusHAY-bee-us KOR-pus
Latin — "you shall have the body".
affidavitaf-ih-DAY-vit
A written sworn statement.
tortTORT
Rhymes with "sport" — a civil wrong, not a pastry.
plaintiffPLAYN-tif
Not "PLAIN-tiff" — a common misreading.
defendantdih-FEN-dunt
Stress the second syllable.
jurisprudencejoor-is-PROO-dens
The philosophy of law — four syllables.
certiorarisur-shee-uh-RAIR-ee
A higher court's order to review a case.