What term describes the adversarial legal system in American criminal courts?

• A. Inquisitorial system
• B. Due process model
• C. Adversarial legal system
• D. Restorative justice framework

Answer: (C)

The concept being tested is how American criminal courts resolve cases through a contest between two opposing sides. In this system, the prosecution and the defense present competing evidence, witnesses, and legal arguments before a neutral judge (and often a jury). The judge acts as a referee, enforcing rules of procedure and admissibility, while the jurors or the judge determine guilt based on what the parties have produced. Each side bears its own burden: the prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and the defense works to cast doubt or present affirmative defenses. This adversarial setup contrasts with systems where the judge actively investigates the facts (inquisitorial) or where the emphasis shifts to repairing harm rather than adjudicating guilt (restorative justice). The term described here captures the competitive, rights-preserving structure of American criminal trials, anchored in due process protections that ensure fair treatment throughout the proceedings.