voir-dire
Meaning: A preliminary examination conducted within a trial to determine the admissibility of evidence or the competence of a witness, held in the absence of the jury.
In English law, a voir dire (sometimes called a 'trial within a trial') is typically conducted when the defence challenges the admissibility of a confession or other evidence — for example, arguing that a police interview was conducted improperly. The judge hears argument and evidence from both sides and rules on admissibility before the jury returns. In American usage, voir dire also refers to the process of questioning prospective jurors, though this meaning is less common in British legal practice. It collocates with 'hearing,' 'trial within a trial,' 'admissibility,' and 'conducted.'
Examples
- The judge ordered a voir dire to assess whether the confession had been obtained under duress. 法官下令进行预审,以评估供述是否在胁迫下获得。El juez ordenó un voir dire para evaluar si la confesión había sido obtenida bajo coacción.裁判官は、自白が強制の下で得られたものかどうかを評価するため、予備的審理を命じた。판사는 자백이 강압 하에 획득된 것인지를 평가하기 위해 예비 심리를 명령했다.
- During the voir dire, the prosecution argued that the CCTV footage was properly authenticated and should be admitted. 在预审中,控方主张该监控录像经过适当认证,应当被采纳。Durante el voir dire, la acusación sostuvo que las grabaciones de circuito cerrado estaban debidamente autenticadas y debían ser admitidas.予備的審理において、検察側は防犯カメラ映像が適切に認証されており、証拠として採用すべきであると主張した。예비 심리에서 검찰 측은 CCTV 영상이 적절히 인증되었으며 증거로 채택되어야 한다고 주장했다.
- Legal textbooks describe the voir dire as an essential safeguard against the presentation of unreliable evidence to the jury. 法学教科书将预审描述为防止向陪审团提交不可靠证据的基本保障。Los manuales de derecho describen el voir dire como una salvaguardia esencial contra la presentación de pruebas poco fiables ante el jurado.法学の教科書は、予備的審理を陪審員に信頼性の低い証拠が提示されることを防ぐ不可欠な保障措置であると説明している。법학 교과서들은 예비 심리를 배심원에게 신뢰성이 낮은 증거가 제시되는 것을 방지하는 필수적인 보호 장치로 설명하고 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: academic, professional
Tone: neutral
Origin & History
From Anglo-Norman voir dire (to speak the truth), from Old French voir (true) and dire (to say). The phrase has been part of English legal procedure since at least the 14th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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