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Vocabulary for the Court
Accuse
To accuse someone is to declare that someone committed a crime.
It’s often used in the passive voice, to describe the state of someone who is accused or was accused of something.
He was accused of stealing the woman’s wallet.
Advocate
A legal adviser or professional who pleads on behalf of the accused in court.
The advocate asked for her immediate release from jail.
Appeal
To apply to a higher court to change a judge’s decision.
The judge’s decision is unreasonable. Let’s make an appeal.
Arrest
To take someone who supposedly did something illegal into police custody.
My sister was arrested last night. I wonder what she did!
Barrister
A specialized lawyer typically found in England or Australia.
They asked a barrister to give the defendant some advice.
Capital punishment
Also known as the “death penalty,” when the guilty person is sentenced to death.
The prosecutor wanted capital punishment for the defendant who had killed three people.
Charge
To formally accuse someone of a crime.
The police charged him with murder this morning.
Case
Legal action—something that should be decided on in court.
The police had built a strong case against the robber.
Civil law
The law that’s not criminal law.
She practices civil law and spends most of her time helping people get divorced.
Convict
Someone who has been found guilty of a crime and is serving a jail sentence.
My uncle is a convict. He has to serve three more years in jail.
Courtroom
The room where the judge hears cases.
We need to be in the courtroom in 10 minutes.
Criminal law
The law that punishes criminals and people who break the law.
She practices criminal law. Right now she’s working on a robbery case.
Defendant
The person who has been accused of a crime.
The defendant is accused of stealing this woman’s car.
Defense Attorney
The lawyer who argues for the defendant.
I’m not going to jail. I’ve hired the best defense attorney in the city.
Deposition
Giving sworn evidence, usually written or spoken.
She gave her deposition last week. We will use it in court today.
Evidence
The material that indicates whether someone is guilty of a crime.
There is not enough evidence to convict him.
Fine
An amount of money that you need to pay when you break a small law.
I got a parking ticket and had to pay a fine.
Guilty
Describes the person who committed a crime. After a criminal trial, someone is “found guilty” or “found innocent” (see below).
He was found guilty and will have to go to jail.
Illegal
Against the law.
It is illegal to drive through a red light.
Innocent
Not guilty of a crime.
She was found innocent and can go home.
Judge
The person who makes the final decision in a legal case.
My cousin is a judge. She decides several small cases every week.
Jury
The group of citizens in a criminal trial who decide whether a person is guilty or not guilty of the crime they’re accused of.
Several English-speaking countries have jury trials, but they can look significantly different in different countries. Some English-speaking countries, such as South Africa, have no jury trials.
The jury took only one hour to find the defendant guilty.
Lawyer
Someone who studied and practices law.
My firm has 10 lawyers on staff, including contract lawyers, a criminal lawyer and a couple of civil law lawyers.
Misdemeanor
Illegal behavior that’s not considered extremely serious. Usually the guilty party is charged a fine.
She had to pay a fine for vandalism, which is a misdemeanor in this city.
Parole
The early release of someone from jail, often for good behavior, before the end of their prison sentence.
He was granted parole three years before his actual prison sentence would have ended.
Plea
The defendant’s response of either “guilty” or “innocent” for a crime they’re accused of.
He didn’t steal anything, so he will plead not guilty.
Prosecutor
The lawyer trying to put the defendant in jail.
Be prepared. The prosecutor will ask you many questions.
Subpoena
A formal order to appear in court.
I was subpoenaed and will have to go to court next week to give my testimony.
Sue
To start legal procedures against someone in order to get compensation or payment for damages or wrongdoing.
After he got injured, he decided to sue his boss over the unsafe work environment.
Take the stand
To sit or stand in the courtroom and tell the judge about the crime. Witnesses and defendants can “take the stand.”
She was nervous, but she took the stand and answered all the prosecutor’s questions.
Testify
To give evidence as a witness in the courtroom for or against the defendant.
I had to testify as a witness to the crime.
Testimony
A written or spoken statement about the crime or offense.
He gave testimony to support the defendant’s innocence.
Verdict
The final decision in the courtroom as to whether or not the defendant is guilty or innocent.
She read the final verdict: innocent!
Warrant
An official document instructing the police to arrest someone.
You may also often hear the term “search warrant,” which gives the police permission to search someone’s property for evidence.
There’s a warrant out for his arrest.
Witness
A person who saw the crime taking place and must describe what they saw or heard in the courtroom.
There were several witnesses to the theft.
Crimes
DUI or DWI
“Driving under the influence” or “Driving while intoxicated.” Both terms refer to the offense of driving a vehicle after consuming alcohol.
The slang term for this is drunk driving (U.S.) or drink driving (U.K.).
He lost his license after he got a DWI.
Forgery
Producing a false copy of a signature, document, money or artwork.
Forgery can also be used as a noun to refer to the fake document.
It was an excellent forgery. It took the company days to realize the signature was a fake.
Fraud
Deception in order to gain money.
She was convicted of fraud. She’d been making replica paintings and selling them as the real thing.
Kidnapping
Transporting or holding someone in a location against their will.
He was trying to kidnap the child but the police stopped him as he was driving away.
Murder
Intentionally killing someone.
He murdered his neighbor for playing his music too loud.
Negligence
Not taking proper care of something.
He drove his car onto the sidewalk. No one was hurt, so he was charged with negligence.
Perjury
Lying after taking an official oath to tell the truth.
He committed perjury in the courtroom and will have to face the consequences.
Rob
The action of stealing from someone or some place.
A man robbed the house next door last month and now every house in the neighborhood has a security system.
Shoplifting
Stealing items from a store or shop.
He was caught on camera shoplifting a soda and some chips.
Trespass
To go somewhere where you aren’t allowed to go.
He was trespassing on my father’s property so I called the police.
Vandalism
The deliberate destruction of property.
She was charged with vandalism for spray painting the side of the office building.
Property
Landlord
The owner of a rental property.
My landlord is very helpful. When the washing machine broke, he bought a new one for the apartment by the end of the week.
Lease
A formal contract letting someone other than the owner use a property for a certain amount of time and for a certain amount of money.
I signed a two-year lease for the apartment! I can’t wait to move in.
Loan
Money borrowed from a bank or private institution that must be paid back with interest.
I took out several loans to go to college.
Mortgage
A legal agreement from the bank that lends you money to buy a house.
I just bought my first house and have a 30-year mortgage.
Proprietor
The owner of a property or business.
The proprietor is hoping to sell the restaurant and retire.
Rental Agreement
A contract for renting a property without a set amount of time.
I signed my rental agreement today, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be here—maybe just a few months.
Security Deposit
A payment you make when you rent a property to cover any possible damages that might occur.
I had to pay first month’s rent, last month’s rent and a security deposit, but now I have the keys to my new apartment!
Tenant
The person who’s renting the property.
I’ve been a tenant in this building for two years.
Contracts
Agreement
A negotiated or legal understanding between two or more groups of people.
We’ve finally come to an agreement. Please make the changes in the contract and we’ll sign it tomorrow.
Article
A section in a contract.
In Article 7, it says that you have to notify the company two weeks before you intend to quit.
Default
Failure to make payments on a loan or mortgage. Often used in the past tense.
He lost his job and defaulted on his mortgage payments. He may lose his house.
Fulfill
Carry out a promise or satisfy an agreement.
By signing this contract, you agree to fulfill all of the conditions listed.
Hereinafter
A term used in contracts that means, “further on in the document.”
Bob’s Computers will be referred to as Company A and Joe’s Electronics will be referred to as Company B hereinafter.
Liable
Legally responsible for something.
Our company is liable if something goes wrong with the new model.
Null and void
Cancelled or invalid.
This contract is null and void the moment you step out of my office!
On behalf of
For the interests of a group.
The parents sued the hospital on behalf of their newborn child.
Party
The person or group of people on one side of a negotiation, deal or argument.
The two parties need to come to an agreement by the end of the day.
These words and phrases are a great start to improving and building your legal English vocabulary! Take time to become familiar with these words and practice them and you’ll feel more confident speaking English legalese.