Lesson
Legal and criminal vocabulary
Text
This lesson introduces essential vocabulary used in legal and criminal contexts. Learn common nouns, verbs and phrases that appear in reports, contracts, news articles and courtroom language. Focus on meaning, collocations and typical contexts.
Table
| Term | Part of speech | Example |
|---|---|---|
| allegation | noun | The company denied the allegations of fraud. |
| indictment | noun | The grand jury issued an indictment last month. |
| to charge (someone) / charged with | verb / phrase | She was charged with insider trading. |
| plea bargain | noun | He accepted a plea bargain to reduce the sentence. |
| acquittal | noun | The defendant received an acquittal after the trial. |
| conviction | noun | The conviction led to a five-year prison term. |
| to sue | verb | The client decided to sue the contractor for breach of contract. |
| jurisdiction | noun | The case falls under federal jurisdiction. |
Tip
Legal vocabulary often pairs with specific verbs and prepositions. Also choose formal register in legal contexts.
When in doubt, use the formal legal term in professional writing.
Example
The board faced allegations of accounting fraud during the audit.
The prosecution presented new evidence at the hearing.
To avoid a long trial, the defendant accepted a plea bargain.
The company decided to settle the claim out of court.
Tip
Watch out for these universal errors when using law-related terms:
Double-check collocations and choose formal vocabulary in professional contexts.
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'allegation' correctly?
Hint: Think about a claim or accusation reported publicly
Correct!
An 'allegation' is a claim or accusation that has not been proven.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: There were allegations of bribery against the mayor.
An 'allegation' is a claim or accusation that has not been proven.
Quiz
Complete: The defendant was _____ embezzlement.
Hint: Think about the passive structure used to report an accusation
Correct!
'Charged with' is used to formally accuse someone of a crime.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: charged with
'Charged with' is used to formally accuse someone of a crime.
Quiz
Which word best completes the sentence: 'After reviewing the facts, the lawyer advised a _____ to avoid a public trial.'
Hint: Think about resolving a dispute outside court
Correct!
A 'settlement' is an agreement reached to resolve a claim without a trial.
Incorrect
The correct answer was: settlement
A 'settlement' is an agreement reached to resolve a claim without a trial.
Vocabulary
A claim or assertion that someone has done something wrong, usually without proof yet.
There were allegations of misconduct within the department.
Vocabulary
A formal charge or accusation of a serious crime, often issued by a grand jury.
The company received an indictment related to tax evasion.
Vocabulary
An agreement between defendant and prosecutor where the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge or for a lighter sentence.
To reduce uncertainty, the defendant accepted a plea bargain.
Vocabulary
A legal judgment that a person is not guilty of the crime with which they were charged.
The judge's decision resulted in an acquittal for the defendant.
Vocabulary
A formal declaration that someone is guilty of a criminal offense, often after a trial.
The conviction impacted his professional license.
Vocabulary
To bring a civil action against someone in a court of law.
The client decided to sue the supplier for breach of contract.
Vocabulary
The official power to make legal decisions and judgments, or the area where this power applies.
The dispute fell outside the court's jurisdiction.
Vocabulary
To formally accuse someone of a crime; commonly used with the preposition 'with'.
Several executives were charged with embezzlement.