Essential English Vocabulary for Law and Crime

Commonly Used Terms

Accuse: To formally charge someone with a crime. Example: He was accused of theft.

Charge: To formally accuse someone of a crime. Example: The police charged him with murder.

Angry: Feeling or showing strong displeasure or hostility. Example: She was angry at him for lying.

Cold-hearted: Lacking empathy or compassion. Example: The cold-hearted criminal showed no remorse.

Arrest: To take someone into custody for breaking the law. Example: The police arrested the suspect at the scene.

Convict: To find someone guilty of a crime in a court of law. Example: He was convicted of assault.

Aware: Having knowledge or perception of something. Example: Were you aware of the risks involved?

Clue: A piece of evidence or information that helps to solve a crime or mystery. Example: The detectives searched for clues at the crime scene.

Burglary: The crime of illegally entering a building with the intent to commit a crime, typically theft. Example: There was a burglary in the neighborhood last night.

Cool-headed: Calm and composed, especially in stressful situations. Example: The cool-headed officer defused the tense situation.

Capable: Having the ability or skill to do something. Example: She is a capable lawyer.

Cop: (Informal) A police officer. Example: The cops arrived quickly after the call.

Court: A place where legal cases are heard and decided. Example: The trial was held in the Supreme Court.

Culprit: A person who is responsible for a crime or wrongdoing. Example: The police finally caught the culprit.

Engaging: Interesting and captivating. Example: The detective found the witness's story engaging.

Excited: Feeling or showing enthusiasm or eagerness. Example: The children were excited about the field trip to the police station.

Fine: A sum of money imposed as a penalty for an offense. Example: He had to pay a fine for speeding.

Forgery: The action of forging or producing a copy of a document, signature, banknote, or work of art. Example: The art expert discovered the painting was a forgery.

Get away with: To escape punishment for a crime or wrongdoing. Example: He thought he could get away with stealing, but he was caught.

Guilty: Responsible for a crime or wrongdoing. Example: The jury found the defendant guilty.

Hard-Hitting: Delivering a strong impact or effect. Example: The journalist wrote a hard-hitting exposé on police corruption.

Imprison: To put someone in prison. Example: He was imprisoned for life.

Jealous: Feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages. Example: He was jealous of his neighbor's new car.

Judge: A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law. Example: The judge sentenced the defendant to five years in prison.

Jury: A body of people (typically twelve in number) sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court. Example: The jury deliberated for hours before reaching a verdict.

Kidnapping: The action of abducting someone and holding them captive. Example: The kidnapping made headlines across the country.

Knife: A bladed instrument used as a cutting tool or weapon. Example: The police found a knife at the crime scene.

Late: After the expected or usual time; delayed. Example: The witness was late for the trial.

Law: The system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce by the imposition of penalties. Example: Everyone is subject to the law.

Mugging: An attack on someone in a public place in order to steal their money or belongings. Example: Muggings are a common occurrence in this area.

Murder: The unlawful premeditated killing of one human being by another. Example: The murder remained unsolved for years.

Offence: A breach of a law or rule; an illegal act. Example: He committed a serious offence.

Pickpocket: A person who steals from people's pockets, especially in a crowd. Example: Beware of pickpockets in crowded areas.

Plain-Spoken: Speaking frankly and directly. Example: The witness was plain-spoken in her testimony.

Polite: Having or showing behavior that is respectful and considerate of other people. Example: The officer was polite but firm.

Public-spirited: Having or showing a concern for the welfare of the community. Example: The public-spirited citizens formed a neighborhood watch group.

Punish: To inflict a penalty or sanction on someone for an offense. Example: The judge punished the offender with a hefty fine.

Robber: A person who commits robbery. Example: The robber escaped with a large sum of money.

Robbery: The action of taking property unlawfully from a person or place by force or threat of force. Example: The bank robbery was caught on camera.

Sensitive: Easily upset or offended. Example: The sensitive witness was hesitant to testify.

Single-minded: Having or showing a single aim or purpose. Example: The detective was single-minded in his pursuit of the truth.

Spot: To see, notice, or recognize someone or something. Example: The witness spotted the suspect in the crowd.

Stab: To wound or pierce with a pointed weapon. Example: The victim was stabbed multiple times.

Statement: A formal or official account of facts or events. Example: The witness gave a statement to the police.

Suitable: Right or appropriate for a particular person, purpose, or situation. Example: The courtroom was a suitable venue for the trial.

Suspect: A person thought to be guilty of a crime or offense. Example: The police questioned the suspect.

Symptom: A physical or mental feature that is regarded as indicating a condition of disease, particularly such a feature that is apparent to the patient. Example: The doctor asked the patient about his symptoms.

Theft: The action or crime of stealing. Example: The theft of the valuable painting shocked the art world.

Tough: Strong and resilient. Example: The detective was tough and determined.

Trial: A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings. Example: The trial lasted for several weeks.

Witness: A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place. Example: The witness testified in court.

Modal Verbs in Legal Context

SHOULD: Used to express obligation or duty. Example: You should report any suspicious activity to the police.

MUST: Used to express strong obligation or necessity. Example: All witnesses must remain silent during the trial.

CAN'T: Used to express prohibition or impossibility. Example: You can't enter the crime scene without authorization.

COULD/MIGHT/MAY: Used to express possibility or permission. Example: The suspect could be hiding in the abandoned building.

HAVE TO: Used to express obligation or necessity. Example: The police have to follow proper procedures.

DON'T HAVE TO: Used to express lack of obligation. Example: You don't have to answer any questions without a lawyer present.

HAD TO: Used to express past obligation. Example: The witness had to provide a detailed statement.

SHOULD HAVE: Used to express past obligation that was not fulfilled. Example: The suspect should have cooperated with the police.

Phonetics

T: Can be pronounced as P, F, K, S, CH, TH, SH, or PH depending on the word and context.

ID: Can be pronounced as T or D depending on the word and context.