Legal Vocabulary Flashcards
To declare that someone committed a crime
accuse
He was ________ of stealing the woman’s wallet.
He was accused of stealing the woman’s wallet.
The law that’s not criminal law
civil law
She practices ________ and spends most of her time helping people get divorced.
She practices civil law and spends most of her time helping people get divorced.
To apply to a higher court to change a judge’s decision
appeal
The judge’s decision is unreasonable. Let’s make an ________.
The judge’s decision is unreasonable. Let’s make an appeal.
Let’s ________ this decision.
Let’s appeal this decision.
To start legal procedures against someone in order to get compensation or payment for damages or wrongdoing
to sue
After he got injured, he decided to ________ his boss over the unsafe work environment.
After he got injured, he decided to sue his boss over the unsafe work environment.
A legal proceeding against someone in order to get compensation or payment for damages or wrongdoing
a (law)suit
He decided to file a ________ against his boss.
He decided to file a (law)suit against his boss.
Illegal behavior that’s not considered extremely serious. Usually the guilty party is charged a fine
misdemeanor
She had to pay a fine for vandalism, which is a ________ in this city.
She had to pay a fine for vandalism, which is a misdemeanor in this city.
The person who has been sued or accused of a crime
defendant
The ________ is accused of stealing this woman’s car.
The defendant is accused of stealing this woman’s car.
Someone who practices law
attorney
lawyer
My ________ advised me to settle the lawsuit.
My attorney advised me to settle the lawsuit.
A formal order to appear in court
subpoena
I was ________ and will have to go to court next week to give my testimony.
I was subpoenaed and will have to go to court next week to give my testimony.
Sworn evidence, usually written or spoken
deposition
She gave her written ________ last week. We will use it in court today.
She gave her written deposition last week. We will use it in court today.
A declaration that you are either guilty or innocent
plea
He changed his ________ to guilty.
He changed his plea to guilty.
To respond either “guilty” or “innocent” for a crime you’re accused of.
to plead
I ________ guilty, but I had a speech prepared to explain the situation.
I pled guilty, but I had a speech prepared to explain the situation.
A person who sues another person or accuses another person of a crime in a court of law
plaintiff
The ________ sued the defendant for breach of contract.
The plaintiff sued the defendant for breach of contract.
A request to be present
summons
An instance of questioning
interrogation
Written declaration made under oath
affidavit
A lawsuit brought by a representative member of a large group of people on behalf of all members of the group
class action
The final decision in the courtroom as to whether or not the defendant is guilty or innocent
verdict
A legal document to effect a transfer of property
deed
A separate section of a legal document
clause
An authoritative rule
ordinance
Failure to act with the prudence of a reasonable person
negligence
An act that disregards an agreement or a right
infringement
A legal adviser or professional who pleads on behalf of the accused in court
advocate
The ________ asked for her immediate release from jail.
The advocate asked for her immediate release from jail.
Also known as the “death penalty,” when the guilty person is sentenced to death
capital punishment
The prosecutor wanted ________ for the defendant who had killed three people.
The prosecutor wanted capital punishment for the defendant who had killed three people.
To formally accuse someone of a crime
charge
The police ________ him with murder this morning.
The police charged him with murder this morning.
The lawyer who argues for the defendant
defense attorney
I’m not going to jail. I’ve hired the best ________ in the city.
I’m not going to jail. I’ve hired the best defense attorney in the city.
the obligation to act or a period of acting as a member of a jury in court
jury duty
I got called for ________, but they didn’t pick me/ I wasn’t selected. I wanted them to pick me because I wanted to have the experience.
I got called for jury duty, but they didn’t pick me/ I wasn’t selected. I wanted them to pick me because I wanted to have the experience.
The early release of someone from jail, often for good behavior, before the end of their prison sentence
parole
He was granted ________ three years before his actual prison sentence would have ended.
He was granted parole three years before his actual prison sentence would have ended.
The lawyer who is trying to put the defendant in jail.
prosecutor
Be prepared. The ________ will ask you many questions.
Be prepared. The ________ will ask you many questions.
To sit or stand in the courtroom and tell the judge about the crime
take the stand
She was nervous, but she took the stand and answered all the prosecutor’s questions.
She was nervous, but she ________ and answered all the prosecutor’s questions.
She read the final ________: innocent!
She read the final verdict: innocent!
An official document instructing the police to arrest someone.
You may also often hear the term “search ________” which gives the police permission to search someone’s property for evidence.
warrant
There’s a ________ out for his arrest.
There’s a warrant out for his arrest.
