Legal English Spanish Definition Flashcards
abstract (summary)- n
. resumen, sumario, extracto
accessory (assistant in a crime)
- n. accesorio
acid (LSD, an hallucinogenic drug)- n
. ácido
accomplice (assistant in a crime)- n
. cómplice
accusation (written charge)- n.
acusación, denuncia
accused (defendant)- n.
acusado
acquit (to decide as innocent, let free)- v.
absolver, exogenar, exculpar
acquittal (clearing of a person from a charge;
finding the defendant not guilty)- n.
absolución
action (lawsuit)- n.
acción, proceso, acto
addict (someone who is addicted to drugs)- n.
n. adicto
adjudicate (to judge)- v.
adjudicar
adjudication (deciding of a case through judicial or administrative hearing-n.
adjudicación
admissible (acceptable)- adj.
admisible, aceptable
admission (disclosure of adverse facts)- n.
admisión, confesión
adoption (legal process establishing a parental relationship between adoptive parent and child born of other parents)- n
. adopción
advisement of rights (making a person aware of their rights)- n.
notificación de derechos
affidavit (official sworn statement)- n.
declaración jurada, testimonio
affidavit of prejudice (sworn statement alleging a potential judge is biased)- n.
declaración jurada de prejuicio
agreement (mutual promises)- n.
acuerdo, convenio
aid and abet (to assist in a crime)- v.
ser cómplice de, ayudar
alibi (defendant’s story of innocence when a crime is committed, allegedly by another)- n.
coartada, alibí
alien (foreign-born immigrant who is not naturalized)- n.
extranjero
alimony (support payment to divorced spouse)- n.
pensión alimenticia
allegation (statement of fact the party intends to prove)- n
. alegación
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
