accuse: to say that someone has done something morally wrong, illegal, or unkind
part of speech: verb. He's been accused of robbery
jury: a group of people who have been chosen to listen to all the facts in a trial in a law court and to decide if a person is guilty or not guilty, or if a claim has been proved
part of speech: noun. The jury have been unable to return a verdict
serve time: to work for; to do your duty to
part of speech: verb. He served in the army for 22 years
culprit: someone who has done something wrong
part of speech: noun. Police hope the public will help them to find the culprits.
guilty: feeling guilt
part of speech: adjective. I feel so guilty about forgetting her birthday.
innocent: not guilty of a particular crime
part of speech: adjective. He firmly believes that she is innocent of the crime
court: a place where trials and other legal cases happen, or the people present in such a place, especially the officials and those deciding if someone is guilty
part of speech: noun. He's due to appear in court again on Monday.
victim: someone or something that has been hurt, damaged, or killed or has suffered, either because of the actions of someone or something else, or because of illness or chance
part of speech: noun. The children are the innocent victims of the fighting.
prison: a building where criminals are forced to live as a punishment
part of speech: noun. He's spent a lot of time in prison.
plead: to make an urgent, emotional statement or request for something
part of speech: verb. She appeared on television to plead with the kidnappers.
jail: a place where criminals are kept to punish them for their crimes, or where people accused of crimes are kept while waiting for their trials
part of speech: noun. They spent ten years in jail for fraud
bail: an amount of money that a person who has been accused of a crime pays to a law court so that they can be released until their trial. The payment is a way of making certain that the person will return to court for trial
part of speech: verb. He was released on bail.
arrest: If the police arrest someone, they take them away to ask them about a crime that they might have committed
part of speech: verb. The police arrested her for drinking and driving.
sentence: a punishment given by a judge in court to a person or organization after they have been found guilty of doing something wrong
part of speech: noun. He got a heavy sentence
suspect: to think or believe something to be true or probable
part of speech: verb. So far, the police do not suspect of them.
judge: a person who is in charge of a trial in a court and decides how a person who is guilty of a crime should be punished, or who makes decisions on legal matters
part of speech: noun. The judge will pronounce sentence on the defendant this afternoon.
verdict: an opinion or decision made after judging the facts that are given, especially one made at the end of a trial
part of speech: noun. he jury passed a verdict of guilty
cell: a small room with not much furniture, especially in a prison or a monastery or convent
part of speech: noun. He was bound and gagged and left in a cell for three days
fine: an amount of money that has to be paid as a punishment for not obeying a rule or law
part of speech: noun. The maximum penalty for the offence is a $1,000 fine
trial: the hearing of statements and showing of objects, etc. in a law court to judge if a person is guilty of a crime or to decide a case or a legal matter
part of speech: noun. Trial by jury is a fundamental right.
charge: to make a formal statement saying that someone is accused of a crime
part of speech: verb. She's been charged with murder.
testify: o speak seriously about something, especially in a law court, or to give or provide proof
part of speech: verb. I can testify to the foregoing since I was actually present when it happened.