legal word of the day: MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT

legal word of the day: MAY IT PLEASE THE COURT

POL:

Wysoki Sądzie!

ENG:

a phrase used by counsel to start their opening statement

OPENING STATEMENT – oświadczenie wstępne, mowa wstępna (an introductory statement made by the attorneys for each side at the start of a trial in which they provide an overview (summary) of the case and discuss what they are going to prove during the trial)

 (1) Mr. Chief Justice, may it please the Court: This case concerns itself with the conviction of a defendant of two crimes of rape and kidnapping, the sentences on each count of 20 to 30 years to run concurrently.

CHIEF JUSTICE – przewodniczący sądu (the highest-ranking judge of a court that has more than one judge)

a CONVICTION – wyrok skazujący (the result of a criminal trial in which the defendant has been found guilty of a crime.)

A DEFENDANT – oskarżony (the party charged with a crime in a criminal prosecution)

a SENTENCE – wyrok, kara (the punishment given to a person convicted of a crime.)

a COUNT – zarzut (each separate charge in a criminal action)

to RUN CONCURRENTLY – biec równocześnie (to run at the same time)

(2) BERNARD S. COHEN: Mr. Chief Justice, may it please the Court. I am Bernard S. Cohen. I would like to move the admission of Mr. Philip J. Hirschkop pro hac vice, my co-counsel in this matter. He is a member of the Bar of Virginia.

CHIEF JUSTICE WARREN: Your motion is granted. Mr. Hirschkop, you may proceed.

to MOVE – wnosić o (to make an application to a court for a rule or order)

the ADMISSION of – dopuszczenie (allowing someone to join the proceedings)

PRO HAC VICE (proh hock vee-chay) Latin for "this time only,"

odnosi się do sytuacji, w której adwokat zostaje dopuszczony do wypełnienia swoich obowiązków na jakimś określonym terenie, nie będącym zwyczajowym obszarem jego jurysdykcji

 (the phrase refers to the application of an out-of-state lawyer to appear in court for a particular trial, even though he/she is not licensed to practice in the state where the trial is being held)

YOUR MOTION IS GRANTED – Sąd przyjmuje wniosek (the Court agrees to the request)

YOU MAY PROCEED – proszę kontynuować (please continue)

(3) Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the Court: The issue before this Court is whether the public burning of an American flag which occurred as part of a demonstration with political overtones is entitled to First Amendment protection.

FIRST AMENDMENT – Pierwsza poprawka do konstytucji (the change of the US Constitution regarding freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, freedom of the press, and right to petition)

(4) Your first words: “Mr./Ms. Chief Justice and may it please the court.  My name is XXX and I represent XXX in this case.”

(5) I open the black binder. The Chief Justice acknowledges me. I hear myself say the words I have dreamed of saying since law school: “Thank you, Mr. Chief Justice, and may it please the Court.”