Welcome to the U.S. Courthouse. During your visit, you’ll see judges and their staffs, jurors, lawyers, and people who are involved in court cases. This pamphlet answers some of the questions visitors to the federal courts ask most often. It will help you understand what you see and hear in the courthouse. Of course, legal proceedings are often complex, and a pamphlet such as this may not answer all of your questions.
In the back is a glossary of legal terms that you’ll find in this pamphlet. You’ll probably hear many of these terms if you attend a proceeding in the courthouse. If you’re confused by any of the words printed in boldface in this pamphlet, look in the glossary for a simple explanation.