Louisiana Private Investigator Licensing Practice Exam

What term describes a private discussion between the judge and lawyers that is not heard by the jury or spectators?

1. Chambers conference

2. Sidebar conference

3. Closed session

4. Private meeting

The correct answer is: Sidebar conference

The term that accurately describes a private discussion between the judge and lawyers that is not heard by the jury or spectators is a sidebar conference. This type of conference occurs in the courtroom but outside the presence of the jury to address specific legal issues, procedural matters, or sensitive topics that need to be handled discreetly. Sidebar conferences allow the legal team to communicate important information or arguments without revealing them to the jury, thereby maintaining the integrity of the trial process. While the other options may intuitively seem related, they do not specifically capture the nature of the conference that occurs alongside the trial proceedings. Chambers conferences usually take place in the judge's private chambers and can involve broader discussions; closed sessions might refer to discussions in a legislative or administrative context; and private meetings aren't term-specific to courtroom discussions, making them less precise for this context.