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Where do the judges bring the witnesses to question them?
Into a special room in the courthouse.
Why do they intimidate the witnesses before questioning them?
To make sure they tell only the truth.
Why are all people besides the judges taken out of the room?
So they don’t tell the second witness what the first one said.
Which witness do they bring in first?
The oldest one.
What is the first thing the judges ask the witness to say?
How exactly he knows that the defendant owes the plaintiff money.
If the witness says “the defendant told me he owes the money,” is that valid testimony? Why or why not?
No, because it’s not a proper admission unless others heard it too.
If the witness says, “I heard it from someone else,” is that valid testimony? Why or why not?
No, because it’s just hearsay, not what he saw himself.
What must the witness say for his testimony to be accepted?
That the defendant admitted he owes the money in front of witnesses.
Why does the defendant become obligated to pay if he admits in front of witnesses?
Because public admission makes it official and binding.
What happens after the second witness is brought in?
He is questioned the same way, and if their stories match, the judges discuss the case.
What do the judges do if both witnesses agree on the story?
They discuss the case to decide the verdict.
If two judges say “exempt” and one says “liable,” what is the final ruling?
The defendant is exempt.
If two judges say “liable” and one says “exempt,” what is the ruling?
The defendant is liable.
If one says “liable,” one says “exempt,” and one says “I don’t know,” what must the court do?
Add more judges to reach a majority decision.
Why is a judge who says “I don’t know” not counted as part of the court?
Because he didn’t give a clear opinion, so he can’t be part of the vote.
How do they decide once new judges are added to the case?
They follow the opinion of the majority.
