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⚖️ Crime & Law Vocabulary for IELTS & TOEFL
Legal and criminal justice vocabulary for essays on law enforcement, punishment, rehabilitation, and social issues—important for IELTS Task 2 opinion essays.
▶ Practise with audioCrime & Law word list
perpetrator noun — a person who commits a crime or illegal act
“Police worked to identify the perpetrators of the burglary.” ↗ offender
“Police worked to identify the perpetrators of the burglary.” ↗ offender
misdemeanor noun — a minor criminal offense less serious than a felony
“Shoplifting is typically classified as a misdemeanor.” ↗ minor offense
“Shoplifting is typically classified as a misdemeanor.” ↗ minor offense
prosecution noun — the legal process of charging and trying someone for a crime
“The prosecution presented strong evidence of guilt to the jury.” ↗ legal action
“The prosecution presented strong evidence of guilt to the jury.” ↗ legal action
verdict noun — the formal decision or judgment delivered by a court or jury
“The jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for three hours.” ↗ judgment
“The jury returned a guilty verdict after deliberating for three hours.” ↗ judgment
rehabilitation noun — the process of reintegrating offenders into society and reforming their behavior
“Modern prisons emphasize rehabilitation over pure punishment.” ↗ reform
“Modern prisons emphasize rehabilitation over pure punishment.” ↗ reform
recidivism noun — the tendency of released prisoners to reoffend or return to crime
“High recidivism rates indicate ineffective rehabilitation programs.” ↗ reoffending
“High recidivism rates indicate ineffective rehabilitation programs.” ↗ reoffending
acquit verb — to find not guilty or to declare innocent of a crime
“The defendant was acquitted due to lack of evidence.” ↗ exonerate
“The defendant was acquitted due to lack of evidence.” ↗ exonerate
incarceration noun — the state of being imprisoned or confined in prison
“Long-term incarceration can hinder successful rehabilitation.” ↗ imprisonment
“Long-term incarceration can hinder successful rehabilitation.” ↗ imprisonment
felony noun — a serious crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year
“Armed robbery is classified as a felony in most jurisdictions.” ↗ serious crime
“Armed robbery is classified as a felony in most jurisdictions.” ↗ serious crime
defendant noun — a person accused of or on trial for a crime
“The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.” ↗ accused
“The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.” ↗ accused
conviction noun — a formal judgment that someone is guilty of a crime
“A criminal conviction can affect employment opportunities.” ↗ judgment
“A criminal conviction can affect employment opportunities.” ↗ judgment
parole noun — the conditional release of a prisoner before the end of their sentence
“He was released on parole after serving half his sentence.” ↗ conditional release
“He was released on parole after serving half his sentence.” ↗ conditional release
jurisdiction noun — the official power or authority to make legal decisions in an area
“The case falls under federal jurisdiction because it involves interstate commerce.” ↗ authority
“The case falls under federal jurisdiction because it involves interstate commerce.” ↗ authority
sentencing noun — the formal process of assigning punishment after a guilty verdict
“Sentencing guidelines help ensure consistent punishment across cases.” ↗ punishment
“Sentencing guidelines help ensure consistent punishment across cases.” ↗ punishment
testimony noun — evidence given by a witness in court under oath
“The victim's testimony was crucial to securing a conviction.” ↗ evidence
“The victim's testimony was crucial to securing a conviction.” ↗ evidence
accomplice noun — a person who helps another commit a crime
“The accomplice was sentenced to five years imprisonment.” ↗ partner
“The accomplice was sentenced to five years imprisonment.” ↗ partner
theft noun — the act of taking something without permission with intent to keep it
“Identity theft has become increasingly common in the digital age.” ↗ stealing
“Identity theft has become increasingly common in the digital age.” ↗ stealing
assault noun — a physical or verbal attack on another person
“Assault charges were filed following the altercation.” ↗ attack
“Assault charges were filed following the altercation.” ↗ attack
forensic adj — relating to scientific methods used in criminal investigations
“Forensic evidence such as DNA proved the suspect's guilt.” ↗ investigative
“Forensic evidence such as DNA proved the suspect's guilt.” ↗ investigative
judicial system phrase — the network of courts and legal procedures for administering justice
“A fair and independent judicial system is essential for rule of law.” ↗ legal system
“A fair and independent judicial system is essential for rule of law.” ↗ legal system
deterrent noun — something that discourages or prevents someone from taking action, especially a punishment
“Capital punishment serves as a deterrent for the most serious crimes in some countries.” ↗ discouragement
“Capital punishment serves as a deterrent for the most serious crimes in some countries.” ↗ discouragement
plea bargain noun — an agreement in a court of law where a defendant admits guilt in exchange for a reduced sentence
“The defendant accepted a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial.” ↗ guilty plea agreement
“The defendant accepted a plea bargain to avoid a lengthy trial.” ↗ guilty plea agreement
jury noun — a group of citizens sworn to deliver a fair verdict in a court of law based on evidence presented
“The jury deliberated for three days before reaching a unanimous verdict.” ↗ panel of judges
“The jury deliberated for three days before reaching a unanimous verdict.” ↗ panel of judges
restitution noun — compensation paid by a wrongdoer to a victim for losses or injury caused
“The court ordered the burglar to make restitution for the stolen items.” ↗ compensation
“The court ordered the burglar to make restitution for the stolen items.” ↗ compensation
witness noun — a person who testifies in court or provides evidence about events they observed
“The eyewitness testimony was crucial in securing the conviction.” ↗ observer
“The eyewitness testimony was crucial in securing the conviction.” ↗ observer
evidence noun — facts or information supporting a conclusion in a legal case
“Forensic evidence proved the suspect's presence at the crime scene.” ↗ proof
“Forensic evidence proved the suspect's presence at the crime scene.” ↗ proof
appeal noun/verb — a formal request to have a court decision reviewed by a higher court; to make such a request
“The defendant filed an appeal challenging the conviction on procedural grounds.” ↗ judicial review request
“The defendant filed an appeal challenging the conviction on procedural grounds.” ↗ judicial review request
custody noun — the protective care of someone or something, or confinement by police or in prison
“The suspect was held in police custody pending trial.” ↗ confinement
“The suspect was held in police custody pending trial.” ↗ confinement
extradition noun — the surrender of a person to another jurisdiction for trial or punishment
“The international criminal was subject to extradition to face charges in his home country.” ↗ deportation for trial
“The international criminal was subject to extradition to face charges in his home country.” ↗ deportation for trial