It is a documented fact that the American Court system is based on the English Common Law system. The basic idea is that there are two sides, the plaintiff and the defendant, who present their arguments before a judge or jury.  In a criminal case, the prosecutor acts as a plaintiff on behalf of the citizens or state. In addition, there may several witnesses along with other stakeholders in the case. Combine all participants with the long list of case proceedings that are heard every day in courts across the U.S!