Legal English Spanish Definition Flashcards by Dalcio Andujar

abstract (summary)- n

. resumen, sumario, extracto

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accessory (assistant in a crime)

n. accesorio

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acid (LSD, an hallucinogenic drug)- n

. ácido

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accomplice (assistant in a crime)- n

. cómplice

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accusation (written charge)- n.

acusación, denuncia

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accused (defendant)- n.

acusado

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acquit (to decide as innocent, let free)- v.

absolver, exogenar, exculpar

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acquittal (clearing of a person from a charge;

finding the defendant not guilty)- n.

absolución

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action (lawsuit)- n.

acción, proceso, acto

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addict (someone who is addicted to drugs)- n.

n. adicto

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adjudicate (to judge)- v.

adjudicar

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adjudication (deciding of a case through judicial or administrative hearing-n.

adjudicación

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admissible (acceptable)- adj.

admisible, aceptable

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admission (disclosure of adverse facts)- n.

admisión, confesión

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adoption (legal process establishing a parental relationship between adoptive parent and child born of other parents)- n

. adopción

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advisement of rights (making a person aware of their rights)- n.

notificación de derechos

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affidavit (official sworn statement)- n.

declaración jurada, testimonio

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affidavit of prejudice (sworn statement alleging a potential judge is biased)- n.

declaración jurada de prejuicio

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agreement (mutual promises)- n.

acuerdo, convenio

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aid and abet (to assist in a crime)- v.

ser cómplice de, ayudar

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alibi (defendant’s story of innocence when a crime is committed, allegedly by another)- n.

coartada, alibí

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alien (foreign-born immigrant who is not naturalized)- n.

extranjero

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alimony (support payment to divorced spouse)- n.

pensión alimenticia

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allegation (statement of fact the party intends to prove)- n

. alegación

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alleged (asserted as a true fact, but not yet proven)- adj.

alegado

amend (to revise)- v

. enmendar

amendment (modification of a document)- n.

enmienda

amphetamine (a stimulant and appetite- | suppressing narcotic)- n

. anfetamina

angel dust (PCP, an hallucinogenic drug)- n.

polvo de ángel, cucuy

answer (defendant’s formal document setting out defense in a civil case)- n

. contestación a la demanda

anthrax (an infectious disease of livestock which can be transmitted to humans)- n.

ántrax

appeal (a review of a case by a higher court)- n. ; (to file a case in a higher court)- v.

apelación

appearance (party’s presence in court)- n.

comparecencia

arbitration (judging of a dispute)- n.

arbitraje

argument (debate in front of the court)- n.

argumento

argumentative (fond of arguing)- adj.

argumentativo

arraign (to formally advise defendant of the charges at an initial court appearance)- v

. acusar

arraignment (legal procedure to advise defendant of the charges; initial court appearance)- n.

acusación, denuncia

arrest (law enforcement’s taking of a suspect into formal custody)- n.

arresto

arson (beginning a criminal fire)- n.

incendio intencional

assault (attack on another person)- n.

ataque, agresión

assault, aggravated (higher degree of assault)- n

. asalto más grave, ataque agravado

assault with a deadly weapon (attacking a person with a weapon that could potentially take a life)- n.

asalto con arma mortífera

assignee (counsel assigned to defendant)- n.

apoderado, cesionario

at issue (in question; the issue being addressed)- adj.

en cuestión, de lo que se está hablando

attest (to affirm under oath)- v.

deposición, atestación

attorney (legal representative)- n.

abogado, consejero, procurador

attorney of record (the person who has been recorded in the case file as the counsel for that case)- n.

abogado que consta

authenticate (verify as authentic)- v.

autentificar

auto tampering (to interfere or meddle with another’s automobile)- n.

hacer modificaciones fraudulentas a un auto

bail (money or property given as security for the release of a defendant awaiting trial)- n.

fianza, caución

bail bondsman (person responsible hired to enforce the conditions of bail)- n.

persona responsible de hacer cumplir las condiciones de la fianza

bail forfeiture (losing the money spent on bail because defendant violates the conditions of the bail)- n.

pérdida del dinero usado para fianza por haberse violado las condiciones de la fianza

bail review (official reconsideration of bail)- n.

revisión de fianza

bailiff (officer of the court)- n.

alguacil

bankruptcy (legal declaration of one’s inability | to pay debts)- n

. bancarrota, quiebra

battery (physical attack on another person)- n.

agresión

battery, spousal (physical attack on one’s | spouse)- n

. agresión contra la pareja

bench (judge or court)- n.

banco, tribunal

bias (prejudice)- n.

parcialidad, predisposición, prejuicio

blow (slang for cocaine, a stimulant narcotic)- n.

cocaína

body attachment (official attachment of document to case file)- n

. anexo oficial de un documento al archivo

bond (certificate of debt redeemable by court if defendant fails to appear in court)- n.

bono, obligación

booking number (identification number for case of person under arrest)- n.

número del caso o del arrestado

bookmaking (the business of taking bets)- n.

el negocio de tomar apuestas

brandishing a weapon (carrying a weapon in a threatening manner)- n.

llevar un arma en forma amenazadora

breaking and entering (illegally entering a building)- n

. allanamiento de morada

breathalyzer (breath test for alcohol)- n.

análisis de aliento

bribe (an illegal offer of money, property or services for another service)- n.

soborno, mordida

brief (written summary of case)- n

. alegato, resumen

burden of proof (legal requirement of prosecution to prove the guilt of defendant)- n

. obligación de prueba

burglary (theft, stealing)- n

. robo, hurto

calendar, court (official scheduling calendar for a particular court, usually scheduled by the court clerk)- n.

lista de pleitos, calendario judicial

capital punishment (death penalty)- n

. pena capital

case (criminal or civil lawsuit)- n

. caso, pleito

case of action (criminal or civil lawsuit)- n.

denuncia criminal o civil

causation (a causing, something producing an effect)- n.

causativo, causante

certified (verified as authentic or accurate)- adj. ; (in possession of an official certificate which identifies that its holder is qualified or professional)- adj.

certificado, titulado

chain of custody (order of parental relationships to child)- n

. cadena de custodia, resumen del orden de las relaciones de los padres al hijo

challenge (to object to the qualifications of a potential jury)- v.

poner objeción, recusación

challenge for a cause (party’s challenge to disqualify a potential juror)- n.

recusación para causa

chambers (judge’s office)- n

. cámara, sala

charge (accusation; indictment)- n.

acusación

child molestation (sexually attacking or abusing a child)- n.

molestia sexual de niño, abuso infantil

child support (monetary responsibility to support child)- n.

manutención de niño

circumstances, aggravating (fact or situation which increases the degree of liability or responsibility for a criminal act)- n.

circunstancias agravantes

circumstances, mitigating (fact or situation which does not justify or excuse an offense, but does reduce the degree of liability or responsibility and may also reduce the damages [civil] or punishment [criminal])- n.

circunstancias mitigantes

citation (official notice to appear in court, especially in traffic court)- n (notation of legal authority)- n.

. citación, cita ; notación de autoridad legal

city attorney (counsel representing the city in municipal court)- n

. abogado representando la ciudad

civil action (legal action relating to money or property)- n.

juicio civil

claim (legal demand, complaint)- n

. demanda

clerk (court official, judge’s administrative assistant)- n.

secretario del tribunal, oficial del juzgado

cocaine (stimulant narcotic)- n.

cocaína

collateral (property pledged to secure a debt, | e.g. bail)- n.

resguardo, seguridad colateral

commissioner (public official with authority over court room in initial appearances before going to trial)- n.

comisario, comisionado

commit (to institutionalize, e.g. to a mental hospital)- v (to perpetuate, e.g. a crime)- v.

. internar (ej. en un hospital mental) ; cometer (ej. un crimen)

commitment (incarceration)- n.

encarceración

community property (public property)- n.

propiedad de la comunidad

competency (legal capacity to stand trial)- n.

aptitud, capacidad

complaint (written statement initiating a criminal or civil action)- n

. demanda, escrito de agravios

comply (to act as directed or ordered)- v.

cumplir, obedecer

composite drawing (drawing of a suspect made by a police artist, based on the description from a witness)-

n. dibujo hablado

confession (admission of guilt)- n.

confesión

confiscate (governmental seizure of property)- | v.

confiscar

conflict of interest (reason a party to the case might be too personally involved to provide objective services)- n

. conflicto de interés

consideration (benefit to promisor or detriment to promise)- n.

consideración

conspiracy (an unlawful plot, a plan to do something illegal)- n.

conspiración

constitutional right (a freedom guaranteed by the Constitution)- n.

derecho constitucional

contempt of court (acting against the rules of the court)- n.

desacato al tribunal, rebeldía

continuance (rescheduling a legal proceeding for a later date)- n.

aplazamiento, continuación

controlled substance (government-regulated substance)- n.

substancia controlada

convict (an individual who has been found guilty and incarcerated)- n.convicto ; (to find a defendant guilty of a crime)- v.

condenar

conviction (finding of guilt in a criminal case)- n.

convicción, fallo de culpabilidad

coroner (public officer who determines the cause of death)- n.

médico forense

corroborate (to verify)- v.

corroborar, verificar

counsel (lawyer, legal representation)- n. | ; (to advise)- v

Abogado,. aconsejar

``` counsel table (table where the legal counsel sits)- n. ```

mesa del consejero

count (a numbered charge)- n.

cargo

counterclaim (lawsuit by respondent in response to initial lawsuit in a civil case)- n.

contrademanda

counterfeit (to falsify)- v

. falsificación

counterfeiting (falsifying)- n.

falsificando

county jail (temporary place of incarceration until suspect released, put into prison, etc.)- n.

cárcel del condado

court (place where trials and legal proceedings occur)- n.

tribunal, corte

court house (building where trials and legal proceedings occur)- n.

edificio de los tribunales

court interpreter (bilingual trained person who translates proceedings between languages for all parties in the case)- n.

intérprete de los tribunales

court order (order issued by the court [judge, etc.] for, or prohibiting, an action)- n.

orden de los tribunales

court reporter (court official who types all words of proceeding into a permanent record)- n

. relator del tribunal

Court, District (court representing a certain area of a state or country)- n.

tribunal del distrito

Court, Federal District (national court with authority over a specified region)- n.

Tribunal, Juzgado del Distrito Federal

Court, Juvenile (court for children)- n.

Tribunal de Menores

Court, Municipal (city court)- n.

Tribunal Municipal

Court, Night (court taking place at night)- n.

Tribunal Nocturno

Court, Superior (higher court)- n.

Tribunal Superior

Court, Supreme (highest court)- n.

Tribunal, Corte Suprema de Justicia

Court, Traffic (court dealing with traffic violations)- n.

Tribunal de Tráfico

court-appointed counsel (attorney assigned to case by the court, esp. for indigent defendant)- n court room (room where trials and legal proceedings occur)- n.

. asesor legal designado por los tribunales sala del tribunal

covenant (sealed contract)- n.

pacto, convenio

crack (crack cocaine, a form of cocaine)- n.

crack

credibility (reliability, reputation for truthfulness)- n

. credibilidad

crime (unlawful offense)- n.

crimen, delito

``` criminal record (written record of previous offenses)- n. ```

antecedentes criminales

crystal meth (a narcotic)- n.

metamfetamina, | cristal, vidrio

custody (case and control of children)- n. (incarceration)- n.

custodia, patria potestad ; custodia, encarceración

damages (repayment for loss or injury)- n.

daños

death penalty (sentence of death for a criminal)- n.

sentencia de muerte

death row (incarceration for inmates awaiting the death penalty)- n.

fila de muerte

decree (order, judgment)- n (to declare)-

. decreto ; v. declarar

default judgment (judgment entered against a defendant who does not plead or defend, often by not appearing in court)- n

. fallo por falta de comparecencia

defendant (the accused in a legal proceeding, trial)- n

. acusado, demandado

defense (the defendant/accused and defense attorney)- n. (evidence offered by an accused to defeat criminal charge)- n.

defensa ; defensa

defense attorney (legal counsel for the accused)- n

.abogado defensor

deliberation (careful consideration)- n.

deliberación, consultación

deportation (expelling of a non-citizen from the country)- n

. deportación

deposition (oral statement given under oath)- n.

deposición,declaración jurada

Deputy District Attorney (Deputy D.A.) (assistant to the D.A.)- n

. Asistente al Acusador Público

detention (being retained in custody)- n.

detención

discovery (pre-trial process to obtain facts from other side)- n.

descubrimiento

dismiss (to let go)- v

. desechar, denegar

dismissal with prejudice (a dismissal after a legal decision, based on the merits of the case, barring the plaintiff from prosecuting any later lawsuit on the same claim)- n.

denegación con pérdida de derecho a nuevo juicio

dismissal without prejudice (a dismissal that does not bar the plaintiff from trying to again prosecute the same claim within a certain time period)- n.

denegación sin pérdida de derecho a nuevo juicio

disorderly conduct (acting in a way which violates public peace or safety)- n

. desorden público

disposition (final outcome of a criminal case)- n.

disposición

dissolution (termination of a marriage, partnership, etc.)- n.

disolución

District Attorney (D.A.) (state’s legal representative in legal proceedings or a trial)- n

. Acusador Público, fiscal.

disturbing the peace (acting in a way which violates public peace)- n.

perturbación al orden público

diversion (order for criminal defendant to participate in alternative program, instead of prison)- n

. programa alternativo

divorce (legal termination of a marriage)- n.

divorcio

docket (list of cases before the court)- n.

orden del día, actas.

domestic violence (violence within a family)- n.

violencia doméstica

double jeopardy (trying a person twice for the same crime)- n.

procesamiento por segunda vez

downer (depressant narcotic)- n.

barbitúricos

driving while intoxicated (DWI)- n.

Conducir | bajo la influencia del alcohol

drug (substance used in or as a medicine or to | alter the functioning of one’s body)- n

droga.

``` drug abuse (excessive or illegal use of a drug)- n. ```

abuso de drogas

drunk driving (driving while intoxicated)- n.

condujir bajo estado de ebriedad

due process (legal right of a defendant to a speedy and fair trial)- n.

debido procedimiento, proceso de ley

ecstasy (e or x; a narcotic)- n.

tachas, éxtasis

embezzlement (stealing money, property, etc.)- | n

. desfalco, malversación

enhancement (factor that increases criminal | penalty)- n.

mejorar

enter a plea (to plea)- v.

registrar una | declaración

entrapment (to capture by leading into a trap)- | n.

atrapar

equal protection (constitutional guarantee that every person will be treated equally by the government)- n.

protección de igualdad

eviction (expel from one’s residence by the owner)- n.

desalojo, evicción

evidence (a statement, object, etc. supporting a point in the case)- n.

evidencia

evidence, circumstantial (indirect evidence in a case)- n.

evidencia circumstancial

evidence, direct (evidence directly related to a case)- n.

evidencia directa

evidence, prima facie (evidence which is adequate to establish a fact, unless refuted)- n.

pruebas

examination, cross (questioning of a witness by the antagonist party)- n.

contrainterrogatorio, repregunta

examination, direct (questioning of a witness by the supporting party)- n

. interrogatorio directo

examination, re-cross (second questioning)- n.

segunda repregunta

questioning)- n.

examination, re-direct (second segundo interrogatorio directo

executed (signed and delivered)- adj.

ejecutado, llevado a cabo

exhibit (object submitted as evidence)- n.

documento de prueba, exhibir

exhibit, defense’s (object submitted by the defense as evidence)- n

. documento de prueba de la defensa

exhibit, people’s (object submitted by the prosecution as evidence)- n.

documento de prueba del acusador

extortion (getting money, etc. by threat)- n.

extorsión

extradition (transferring a suspect to another state, country, etc. for trial)- n.

extradición

eyewitness (person who saw the crime occur)- n.

testigo ocular

failure to appear (FTA) (when person who is required to appear in court does not do so)- n

. falta de comparecencia

failure to comply (when person is ordered to do something by the court, and does not)- n.

falta

fair hearing (a just hearing in which proper protocol is followed)- n.

audiencia justa

false imprisonment (finding an innocent person guilty and sentencing them to a prison sentence)- n.

encarcelación ilegal

felony (major crime)- n

. fechoría, felonía, crimen, delito

Field sobriety test (test of blood-alcohol level at the place of first contact between the law enforcement officer and the suspect)- n.

adjudicate (to judge)- v.

file (record of case)- n.

archivo ; (to enter into the case file)- v. registrar

financial responsibility (financial obligations)- n

. responsabilidad financiera

find guilty (to judge as guilty)- v.

juzgar culpable

finding (discovery)- n

. descubrimiento

find not guilty (to judge as innocent)- v.

juzgar inocente

fine (court-imposed monetary penalty)- n.

multa

fingerprint (mark left by one’s finger, used to | identify individuals)- n.

huella digital

firearm (weapon that fires a projectile, i.e- gun, | rifle, shotgun)- n.

arma de fuego

foreclosure (taking away of the right to redeem a mortgage, etc.)- n.

juicio hipotecario, ejecución de hipoteca

forfeit (a fine or penalty for some crime)- n (to give up, lose)-. die Strafe; v

. decomiso

forgery (falsification; a fake)- n

. falsificación

``` foster care (temporary care of a child, but not by birth)- n. ```

tutela de crianza temporal

fraud (intentional deception, lie)- n

. fraude

gambling (game of chance)- n

. juego

garnish (to issue process for purpose of taking away wages or money to pay a fine)- v.

embargar

glue sniffing (inhaling glue as a narcotic)- n.

inhalación de pegamento

good cause (supported reason for doing something)- n.

motivo suficiente

grand jury (jury that listens to arguments and decides innocence or guilt of defendant)- n.

gran jurado

grand theft (major theft)- n.

hurto mayor

grounds (reasons)- n.

razones

guardianship (legal protective representation of one by another, usually of a minor by an adult)- n

. pupilaje, tutela

guilty (legally judged not innocent of committing a crime)- adj.

culpable

gun (weapon which fires a projectile; a firearm)- n.

pistola

prisoner must be brought before a court to decide his or her innocence or guilt) habeas corpus (writ declaring that a- n.

habeas corpus

handcuffs (pair of connected rings used to shackle a prisoner)- n

. esposas

harassment (constant attacks or torment)- n.

acoso

hearing (formal proceeding held before judge)- n

. audiencia

hearing, contested (legal proceeding in which outcome is put into question by possible administrative misconduct)- n.

audiencia disputada

hearing, preliminary (first hearing)- n.

audiencia preliminar

hearsay (rumor, gossip, unsubstantiated story of event)- n.

de oídas

heroin (narcotic, usually injected into the body)- n

. heroina

hit and run (automobile hits a person and leaves the scene of the accident)- n./v.

chocar y huir, chocar y escapar

holding cell (room for detention of suspect while being tried)- n.

celda de detención

homicide (murder)- n

. homicidio, asesinato

illegal (not legal; unlawful)- adj.

ilegal

immigration (moving from one country to another)- n.

inmigración

immunity (exemption from a charge or penalty)- n.

inmunidad

impeachment of witness (discrediting a witness)- n

. acusación de testigo

inadmissible (not acceptable)- adj.

inadmisible, inaceptable

incest (sexual relationship within a family)- n.

incesto

incriminate (to involve in, or make appear guilty of, a crime or fault)- v

. incriminar

indecent exposure (taking off one’s clothes in a public place)- n.

exhibicionismo

indictment (formal charging with a crime)- n.

procesamiento,acusación por gran jurado

indigent (poor, without money)- adj.

indigente

informant (someone who gives information about a crime; often referring to another criminal who acts as a sort of undercover spy for law enforcement)- n.

informador, denunciante

information (formal charge)- n.

acusación por el fiscal

infraction (violation of a law, pact, agreement, etc.)- n

. infracción

injunction (court order prohibiting or ordering an action)- n.

mandamiento, juicio de amparo

inmate (prisoner)- n.

prisionero

innocent until proven guilty- adj.

inocente hasta ser encontrado culpable

instrument (legal document)- n

. documento legal

intent (state of mind when performing an act)- n.

intención

investigation (search by law enforcement to determine truth of events)- n.

investigación

jail (place where prisoner is confined)- n.

cárcel

join (concur)- v

. concurrencia

joyriding (driving around in a stolen automobile for the enjoyment of doing so)- n.

robar un vehículo para pasear

judge (public official with the authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law)-

n. juez

judgment (final decision)- n.

sentencia, fallo

jurisdiction (range of authority in administering | justice)- n.

jurisdicción

juror (member of a jury)- n

. jurado

jury (group of members from the public who are assigned the task of deciding the trial’s outcome)- n.

jurado

jury box (place in the courtroom where the jury sits)- n

. tribuna del jurado

jury foreman/jury foreperson (the chairperson of a jury)- n.

presidente del jurado

jury trial (a trial in which the final decision will be made by a jury of one’s peers)- n

. juicio por jurado

jury, hung (a jury which is unable to make a final decision in a case)- n

. jurado en desacuerdo, jurado sin veredcito

juvenile hall (place of incarceration for underage offenders)- n.

cárcel de menores

kidnap (to seize and hold a person by force or fraud)- v.

secuestrar

kidnapping (seizing and holding a person by force or fraud)- n

. secuestro

larceny (theft)- n.

hurto, robo

lawsuit (legal action between two parties in a civil court, having to do with money or property)- n.

litigio, pleito

leading question (a question which leads to a point being proven)- n.

pregunta sugestiva

lease (contract by which a landlord rents land, property, etc. to a tenant for a specified time)- n

. alquiler

lewd conduct (indecent or obscene actions)- n

. comportamiento

liability (something that works to one’s disadvantage)- n.

responsabilidad

libel (any written or printed matter to injure a person’s reputation)- n.

difamación escrita

lie detector (machine which measures heart rate to determine if a person is lying)- n.

detector de mentiras

life imprisonment (punishment of spending one’s life in prison)- n.

cadena perpetua

line-up (a line of a few people for a witness to look at and identify a suspect in a crime)- n.

línea de sospechosos

litigation (lawsuit)- n

. litigio

loitering (lingering, spending time idly in one | area)- n.

merodear, holgazanear, vagar

lynching (murder by mob action, without lawful | trial)- n.

linchamiento

malice (purposely committing a crime with the | intention of harming another person)- n.

malicia

malicious mischief (harm or damage caused with intention of hurting another person)- n.

agravio malicioso

malpractice (professional misconduct or improper conduct, esp. by a physician)- n.

conducta ilegal

manslaughter (killing of a human being by another, esp. without malice)- n.

homicio sin premeditación

manslaughter, involuntary (accidental killing of a person)- n

. homicidio accidental

manslaughter, voluntary (knowingly killing a person, but without malice)- n

. homicidio voluntario

marijuana (narcotic)- n.

marihuana

mayhem (the offense of maiming a person; any | violent destruction)- n.

mutilación criminal

mental health (health of the mind)- n

. salud | mental

Miranda Warning (the rights read to the accused at the time of arrest)- n.

Derechos Constitucionales

misdemeanor (any minor offense with a lesser punishment than a felony)- n

. delito menor

mistrial (a trial made void because of a mistake made or inconclusive outcome)- n.

juicio nulo

modification (alteration; change)- n.

modificación

motion (a petition for a ruling, formal request)- n.

moción, petición

motion denied (content of petition not allowed by judge)-

petición negada

motion granted (content of petition agreed to by judge)-

petición accedida

mug shot (identifying photo of a suspect used by law enforcement)- n.

fotografía de reo

murder (unlawful and malicious killing of another person, with intent to do so)- n.

asesinato, homicidio

narcotic (illegal or controlled drug)- n.

narcótico

negligence (carelessness)- n

. negligencia

not guilty (innocent)- adj.

inocente

null and void (invalid, without legal force)- adj.

nulo, nulo y sin valor

oath (sworn statement)- n

. juramento

object (to express disapproval or opposition)- v.

objetar, impugnar

objection (the expressing of disapproval or | opposition)- n.

objeción

objection overruled (objection rejected)-

objeción negada, sin lugar

objection sustained (objection agreed to)-

objeción acogida, con lugar

offender (person who committed a crime)- n.

ofensor, delincuente

offense (violation of law)- n.

ofensa, delito

offer of proof (presentation of evidence for the record, but without a jury present, after the judge has sustained an objection to that evidence, so that the evidence can be preserved on the record for an appeal of the case)- n.

oferta de prueba

oral copulation, forced (forced, oral, sexual contact)- n.

copulación oral forzada

ordinance (statute or regulation)- n.

ordenanza, estatuto

overrule (to overturn, esp. an objection)- n.

denegar

overt act (an action taken openly and with evident intent)- n

. acto

pandering (helping one fulfill his or her vices; procuring, pimping)- n.

lenocidio

paralegal (person trained to aid lawyers but not to practice law)- n

auxillar de abogado, ayudante de abogado,

parole (release of a prisoner before his or her sentence is complete, on the promise of future good behavior)- n.

libertad condicional

party (plaintiff [People, State, etc.], prosecution or defense)- n.

parte

paternity (fatherhood)- n.

paternidad

penalty (punishment)- n.

castigo, multa

penalty assessment (indication of the liability of the losing party in a civil case)- n.

asesoría de multa

pending (not yet decided)- adj.

pendiente

penitentiary (prison)- n.

penitenciaría, prisión

People (prosecution)- n.

fiscalía, parte acusadora, el estado

perjury (lying while under oath to tell the truth)- n.

perjurio, falso testamento

permanent resident (person living long term in a country)- n.

residente permanente

personal estate (the whole of one’s property, possessions)- n.

bienes muebles

personal recognizance (one’s own care and responsibility)- n.

Libertad bajo palabra

petition (formal request for an order)- n. petición; (to formally ask, request)- v.

suplicar, pedir

petty theft (small scale theft)- n.

robo menor

pimping (acting as agent for prostitutes)- n.

alcahuetamiento

plaintiff (the complainant in a civil case)- n.

demandante

plea (defendant’s “guilty,” “not guilty” or other answer to a criminal charge)- n.

declaración

plea bargain (agreement between the prosecution and defense to lower the punishment in exchange for something else, usually for a guilty plea)- n.

negociación de una declaración de culpable

pleadings (documents filed in a case)- n.

alegaciones

points and authorities (legal precedence)- n.

proposiciones

polygraph (lie detector test)- n.

polígrafo

possession of drugs- n.

poseción de drogas

postponement (pushing back the date)- n.

aplazamiento

pot (slang for marijuana; a narcotic)- n.

marihuana

power of attorney (legal authority to act as one’s representative and speak for him or her)- n.

poder, carta de personería

preemptory challenge (one of a party’s limited number of challenges that does not need a reason)- n.

Recusación sin expresión de causa

pre-sentence report (report written to argue for what kind of punishment is appropriate for a guilty party)- n.

informe precondenatorio

prejudice (bias or preconceived opinion)- n.

prejuicio

preponderance of the evidence (enough proof to convince the trier of fact that something is slightly more likely than not to have occurred )- n.

preponderancia de prueba

presumption of innocence (defendant is believed to be innocent, unless proven guilty)- n

. presunción de inculpabilidad

pretrial conference (meeting before the trial to try and resolve the case, agree on evidence, etc.)- n

. conferencia del juez con las partes antes de iniciar el pleito

pretrial offense (offense committed before the trial begins)- n.

ofensa cometida antes de emplezar el juicio

priors (previous offenses committed by the defendant)- n

. precedentes

prison (place of long term incarceration, where convicts fulfill their sentences)- n.

prisión

privilege (a special right, favor, etc. granted to a person or group)- n.

privilegio

probable cause (a reasonable explanation for why something occurred)- n.

causa razonable

probate (having to do with the verification of official documents, i.e.- wills)- n.

validificación de un documento

probation (suspension of defendant’s sentence under supervision of probation officer)- n.

libertad condicional

probation department (office which handles cases of probation)- n.

departamento de libertad condicional

probation officer (official who supervises convicts who are released on probation)- n.

agente de libertad condicional

probation, formal (conditional suspension of a convicts prison sentence)- n.

libertad condicional formal

probation, summary (suspension of a guilty party’s prison sentence so that, if he or she obeys the conditions, he or she will spend no time in prison)- n.

Resumen de Libertad Condicional

proof (evidence convincing to the judge or jury)- n.

prueba

prosecution (the state’s representative in a court room, seeks to convict the defendant)- n.

procesamiento, enjuiciamiento

prosecutor (the attorney representing the state)- n

. fiscal, acusador público

prostitution (selling one’s body for sex)- n.

prostitución

Public Defender (P.D.) (state-funded counsel assigned to an indigent defendant)- n.

defensor público

quash (to set aside, i.e.- an indictment)- v.

anular, invalidar

raise an issue (to bring an issue up for discussion)-

levantar una controversia

rap sheet (file/list of previous offenses)- n.

lista de ofensas anteriores

rape (forced sexual intercourse without consent)- n.

violación

rape, statutory (sexual intercourse with a minor)- n

. estupro

rape in concert (unlawful sexual intercourse against the victims will and by force, while another crime is being committed)- n.

Violación en concierto de otro delito

reasonable doubt, beyond a (absolutely certain)-

fuera de duda razonable

rebuttal (contradicting or opposing in a formal manner by argument or proof)- n

. refutación

reckless driving (driving wildly, without control)- n.

manejar imprudentemente

regulation (rule; law)- n.

regla, ley

release of information (making information available to the public)-

revelación de información

relinquishment (giving up, e.g. giving up a right)- n

. renunciamiento

remand (to send a person back into custody)- v.

; (to send a case back to a lower court or administrative hearing office)- v. reencarcelar

remedy (legal compensation for a wrong)- n.

remedio

report (to state, to inform)- v. (a formal account of facts or information)- n

reportar ;. reporte

respondent (defendant in a civil case)- n.

demandado

restitution (reimbursement; giving back of something for something else that has been lost or taken)- n.

restitución

restraining order (legal document requiring someone to stay away from another person or place)- n.

inhibitoria, orden de entredicho

revoke (to rescind, withdraw, cancel, turn down)- v.

revocar

right, constitutional (right which is guaranteed to all citizens by the Constitution)- n.

derecho constitucional

robbery (theft)- n

. robo

rule (to decide, to judge)- n

. fallo

search and seizure (investigating a place and removing something from the premises for evidence)- n.

allanamiento

self defense (protecting oneself from harm)- n.

defensa propia

self-incrimination (saying something which helps prove one’s own guilt)- n.

autoincriminación

sentence (punishment assigned by the court)- n. (to assign a punishment)-

sentencia ;v.sentenciar

sentence, concurrent (two or more punishments of prison time to be served at the same time)- n.

sentencia concurrente

sentence, consecutive (back to back sentences; one punishment immediately after another)- n.

sentencia consecutiva

sentence, suspended (punishment which is held back, not put into effect)- n.

sentencia suspendida

sentencing (assigning a punishment to a convict)- n.

sentenciamiento

separation (separation of a married couple, but not yet divorce)- n

. separación

serve a sentence (to complete one’s punishment)-

servir una sentencia

serve a summons to somebody (give an official order to respondent to appear in court)-

notificar una citación

settlement (negotiated solution to a lawsuit)- n.

arreglo

sexual molestation (making improper and unwanted sexual advances or attacks)- n.

molestación sexual

sheriff (chief law enforcement officer of a county)- n.

funcionario jefe de un condado

shoplifting (stealing articles, not money, from a shop during shop hours)- n.

robo de tiendas

slander (giving a false statement that damages another’s reputation)- n.

calumnia

sodomy (any sexual intercourse considered abnormal; usually in reference to anal sexual intercourse)- n.

sodomía

statement, closing (final argument summarizing the case, made by the attorney)- n.

declaración final

statement, opening (initial argument summarizing the case, made by the attorney)- n.

declaración inicial

statute (an established law or rule)- n.

estatuto

statute of limitations (a law limiting the time within which legal action may be taken)- n.

estatuto de limitaciones

statutory rape (sexual intercourse, even if consensual, with a minor)- n.

estupro

stay (a delay or cessation)- n.

suspención

stipulate (to specify as an essential condition of | an agreement)- v.

estipular

stipulation (an essential condition of an | agreement)- n.

estipulación

submit (to present, e.g. to present evidence to | the court)- v.

presentar

subpoena (written legal order directing a person to appear in court to testify, etc.)- n.

orden de aparición

sue (to prosecute in civil court in seeking to redress wrongs)- v.

demanda

suit (action to secure justice in a court of law)- n.

acción judicial

sustain (to maintain, agree to, e.g. to agree to and enforce an objection made by an attorney)- v

. mantener

swear (to declare under oath)- v

. jurar

testify (to give evidence under oath in a court of | law)- v.

testificar

testimony (the evidence given under oath in a | court of law)- n.

testimonio

theft (stealing, robbery)- n

. robo

theft, grand (major robbery)- n.

robo mayor

theft, petty (minor robbery)- n

. robo menor

time served (the amount of time already spent in incarceration)- n

. tiempo servido

tort (wrongful act or damage [not involving a breach of contract] for which a civil action can be brought)- n.

agravio

traffic citation (ticket issued by law enforcement officer for a driving violation)- n.

multa de tráfico

transcript (written record)- n.

traslado, copia

trespassing (unlawful entry onto someone’s | property)- n.

traspaso

trial (formal examination to decide a case by a | court of law)- n.

juicio

trial, court/bench (trial in which outcome is decided by a judge)- n.

tribunal de primera instancia

trial, jury (trial in which outcome is decided by a jury)- n.

juicio por jurado

trial, speedy (trial which begins shortly after arrest and does not last an unacceptably long time)- n.

juicio rápido

unconstitutional (illegal, goes against the rights guaranteed by the Constitution)- adj.

inconstitucional

undercover (acting in secret, e.g. an undercover police officer)- adj.

bajo cubierta

unemployment (being without a job)- n.

desempleo

unlawful detainer (illegally holding a person in custody)- n.

detención ilegal

upper (stimulant narcotic)- n.

aceleradores

vacate (to cancel)- v.

cancelar

vagrancy (begging; wandering from place to place without working)- n.

vagancia

vandalism (to maliciously destroy or damage property)- n.

vandalismo

venue (place in which something occurs)- n.

jurisdicción

verdict (final judgment)- n.

veredicto

victim (one who suffers loss, is killed or injured, | etc.)- n.

víctima

violation (infringement, breaking, e.g. of a law)- | n.

violación, infracción

visitation (an official visit, e.g. to a convict in prison, or to inspect something)- n.

inspección, visitación

voir dire (oath of competency)- n.

interrogatorio para determinar la competencia

waive rights (to choose to give up one’s constitutional rights)-

renunciar a los derechos

waive time (to cut time off of a prison sentence)-

renunciar al plazo

waiver of rights (official giving up of one’s constitutional rights)- n

. renuncia de derechos

warrant (order, permit, writ)- n.

orden, decreto de prisión, garantía

warrant, arrest (order issued by the court for law enforcement officials to arrest a suspect)- n.

orden de arresto, auto de detención

warrant, bench (a writ authorized by judge for a search, seizure, arrest, etc.)- n.

orden de arresto por falta de comparecen

warrant, search (permission given to law enforcement by the court to search a suspect’s house, etc. for evidence)- n.

orden de cateo/de registro

weapon (item used to attack another)- n.

arma

weapon, concealed (weapon hidden somewhere | on the suspect)- n.

arma escondida

weapon, deadly (weapon which has the potential to take a life)- n.

arma con potencial de matar

weight of evidence (how thoroughly the evidence convinces)- n

. preponderancia de la prueba

will (last will and testament: one’s written decree of what will happen to all of his or her possessions upon death)- n.

testamento

witness (someone who sees a crime occur, or is otherwise an expert in some aspect of the case and asked to testify in court)- n

. testigo

witness, defense (a witness who appears to support the defense’s argument)- n.

testigo de la defensa

witness, expert (a knowledgeable witness who argues technical or other points)- n.

testigo experto

witness, hostile (a witness for the opposing side)- n.

testigo hostil

witness, material (an important or essential witness in a case)- n.

testigo material

witness, prosecution (a witness who appears to support the prosecution’s argument)- n.

testigo de cargo

witness stand (the place in the court room for the witness to sit when being questioned)- n.

silla de los testigos

work furlough (leave of absence from one’s job, esp. for military reasons or jury duty)- n.

permiso de trabajo

work release (convict’s release from prison during the day to work at a job outside the prison)- n.

permiso para salirr a trabajar

writ (a formal legal document prohibiting or ordering some action)- n.

decreto, orden

Legal English Spanish Definition Flashcards

(471 cards)