VOCABULARY-CRIME

Accuse: To claim someone did something, often something illegal. (verb)
Accused: A person that is alleged to have done something. (noun)
Acquit: To say a person is not guilty and did not perform a crime. (verb)
Advocate: A lawyer who argues for a particular side of a case in court. (noun)
Allege: To say that someone might have done something, but it has not been proven to be true. (verb)
Appeal: To try to reverse the judgment of a court. (verb)
Appeal-court: A special court where appeals are heard. (noun)
Arrest: When a police officer takes away someone who has committed a crime. (noun)
Arson: To illegally set fire to something. (noun)
Assault: To physically attack another person. (verb)
Bailiff: A court worker who enforces the judge’s orders. (noun)
Ban: To prevent someone from doing something for a certain amount of time. (noun)
Barrister: A senior lawyer that works in higher or more important courts. (noun)
Bench (1): Where the judge sits in a court. (noun)
Bench (2): A collective name for all the judges within a court. (noun)
Break-the-law: To do something that is not allowed under the law of that country. (verb)
Bribery: To give something (normally money) to get an advantage. (noun)
Burglary: To steal something from within a building or vehicle. (noun)
Capital punishment: The use of the death penalty for some crimes. (noun)
Case: A single item happening within a court. (noun)
Charge: To officially claim that a person broke the law. (verb)
Civil law: The rules related to the running of a country or state. (noun)
Commit a crime: To do something illegal. (verb)
Compensate: To give something (often money) to offset criminal damage. (verb)
Convict: To state that someone is guilty of a crime. (noun)
Court clerk: The person who ensures a court runs smoothly, the person who keeps the court records. (noun)
Courtroom: The place where cases are heard by a judge. (noun)
Criminal law: The rules related to crime and the punishment of crimes. (noun)
Criminal: A person who has been convicted by a court. (noun)
Death penalty: To kill someone as a form of punishment for committing a crime. (noun)
Defence attorney: A lawyer who explains why a person did not do the crime or why they are innocent. (noun)
Defence: The argument as to why someone is innocent. (noun)
Defendant: The person who has been accused of committing a crime. (noun)
Dock: The place where the defendant sits during the trial. (noun)
Drink-driving: The crime of driving a vehicle after drinking alcohol. (noun)
Drug dealing: The crime of selling illegal drugs. (noun)
Embezzlement: The crime of stealing money owned by someone else but which you were in charge of. (noun)
Evidence: The material and information that is used in a court case to show innocence or guilt. (noun)
Expert witness: Someone who knows a lot about a topic and is called to give evidence. (noun)
Felony: A serious crime (American English). (noun)
Fine: To be required to give away money as a punishment for committing a crime. (noun)
Foreperson: The leader of a jury and the person who speaks for them.  (noun)
Forgery: The crime of making something and claiming it is something else. (noun)
Fraud: The crime of using false information to get something. (noun)
Guilty: To be found to have committed a crime. (adjective)
High-court: The most important court in a country (British English). (noun)
Hijack: The crime of taking a vehicle with people in it and forcing it to go somewhere. (noun)
Homicide: The crime of intentionally killing someone (same as murder) (American English). (noun)
Illegal: Something that is not allowed by the laws of a country. (adjective)
Imprison: To put someone in prison as a punishment for committing a crime. (verb)
Indict: To officially accuse someone of committing a crime. (verb)
Innocent: To be proven to be not guilty, to have not committed the crime. (adjective)
Judge: The person who decides what sentence to give to someone found guilty of committing a crime. (noun)
Jury: A group of 12 people who listen to the evidence in a case and then decide if the accused is guilty. (noun)
Jury room: The room where the jury goes to consider the evidence and decide a verdict. (noun)
Justice: A situation where a guilty person has been punished. (noun)
Juvenile: A person who is not an adult and is often dealt with in special courts. (noun)
Kidnapping: The crime of taking a person away and demanding money to return them. (noun)
Law: The rule or rules that govern how people should behave. (noun)
Lawsuit: A court case brought by an individual person rather than officials. (noun)
Lawyer: A person who studies and practices law. (noun)
Legal: Related to and governed by the law. (adjective)
Magistrate: A judge with lower qualifications who deals with minor offences. (noun)
Manslaughter: The crime of accidentally killing someone. (noun)
Misdemeanour: A less serious crime (American English). (noun)
Murder: The crime of intentionally killing someone (same as homicide) (British English). (noun)
Negligence: To act without proper care for the consequences. (noun)
Not-guilty: To have not committed a crime. (adjective)
Offence: The specific law that a person has broken. (noun)
Parole: To be released from prison early but with restrictions on the person’s actions. (noun)
Perjury: The crime of lying while promising not to lie. (noun)
Pick-pocketing: The crime of stealing something from a person’s pocket or bag. (noun)
Plaintiff: The person who starts an action in a court. (noun)
Plea: The response to whether a person did or did not commit a crime: guilty or innocent. (noun)
Police officer: A person who catches criminals and stops crimes being committed. (noun)
Precedent: Where previous judgments are used as the base of new laws. (noun)
Prison sentence: The time that a criminal has to spend in prison. (noun)
Prison: A place where criminals are sent and locked up as a punishment for their crimes. (noun)
Probation: A period of time where a criminal's behaviour is looked at closely and if they do anything wrong they can go back to prison. (noun)
Prosecution: The lawyers who are trying to prove a person is guilty. (noun)
Public gallery: The area in a court room where people can sit and watch. (noun)
Robbery: The crime of taking something that does not belong to you. (noun)
Shoplifting: The crime of taking something from a shop without paying. (noun)
Smuggling: The crime of bringing something into a country that is illegal or not paying taxes related to the items. (noun)
Solicitor: A lawyer who can be consulted for advice and who prepares documents. (noun)
Stand trial: To be prosecuted in front of a jury. (noun)
Statement: A formal description of what happened or was observed. (noun)
Stenographer: The person who records every word spoken in a court. (noun)
Sue: To start a legal claim against a person or entity. (verb)
Suspect: A person who is believed to have committed a crime. (noun)
Take the stand: To go to the front of the court room (the stand) and give evidence. (verb)
Terrorism: The crime of using violence against people to achieve a specific goal. (noun)
Testify: To give evidence in a court. (verb)
The accused: The person who is standing trial for committing a crime. (noun)
The stand: The place at the front of the court room where witnesses stand to give evidence. (noun)
Theft: The crime of taking something that is not yours. (noun)
Trespass: The crime of entering an area or building without permission. (noun)
Trial: The process of a jury listening to evidence and then giving a verdict. (noun)
Unanimous: When everyone agrees with the same answer. (adjective)
Vandalism: The crime of damaging property. (noun)
Verdict: The final decision reached by a jury, normally ‘guilty’ or ‘not guilty’. (noun)
Victim: The person who has had a crime committed against them and who has suffered. (noun)
Violate: To not follow rules that are specifically set. (verb)
Witness: A person who has information about a crime. (noun)

ESL Legal Vocabulary Definitions

Chose the correct definition for the legal vocabulary in this quiz. 

1) What is the definition of Appeal?

    A) A collective name for all the judges within a court.
    B) To claim someone did something, often something illegal.
    C) To try to reverse the judgment of a court.
    D) To officially claim that a person broke the law.

2) What is the definition of Convict?

    A) A court worker who enforces the judge’s orders.
    B) The place where cases are heard by a judge.
    C) To state that someone if guilty of a crime.
    D) To give something (normally money) to get an advantage.

3) What is the definition of Evidence?

    A) A person who has been convicted by a court.
    B) The argument as to why someone is innocent.
    C) The crime of selling illegal drugs.
    D) The material and information that is used in a court case to show innocence or guilt.

4) What is the definition of Illegal?

    A) Something that is not allowed by the laws of a country.
    B) A situation where a guilty person has been punished.
    C) A person who is not an adult and is often dealt with in special courts.
    D) To be found to have committed a crime.

5) What is the definition of Prison sentence?

    A) The time that a criminal has to spend in prison.
    B) The crime of taking something from a shop without paying.
    C) To act without proper care for the consequences.
    D) The crime of lying while promising not to lie.

 

Score = 

Exercise 2 – Correct Meaning

This time in the ESL legal vocabulary exercise, in each of the five questions you are given the meaning of the word and have to choose the correct option (A-D) that matches it. Again you can see your score by using the get score button.

ESL Legal Vocabulary Identification of Meaning

Chose the word that matches the definition given in each of the five questions in this quiz. 

1) What is the meaning of the following definition: A person who is believed to have committed a crime?

    A) Suspect
    B) Victim
    C) Solicitor
    D) Testify

2) What is the meaning of the following definition: A person who catches criminals and stops crimes being committed?

    A) Offence
    B) Police office
    C) Shoplifting
    D) Prison

3) What is the meaning of the following definition: The leader of a jury and the person who speaks for them?

    A) Guilty
    B) Foreperson
    C) Judge
    D) Hijack

4) What is the meaning of the following definition: The place where cases are heard by a judge?

    A) Convict
    B) Death penalty
    C) Evidence
    D) Courtroom

5) What is the meaning of the following definition: A senior lawyer that works in higher or more important courts?

    A) Allege
    B) Arson
    C) Barrister
    D) Charge

 

Score = 

Conditions & desires

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningenglish/english/course/upper-intermediate/unit-18/session-1

Different ways of saying 'if'

'If' is a word that is often used to introduce conditional sentences. It's not the only way though. In 90 seconds Dan demonstrates five different expressions that have the same or similar meaning to 'if'.
Summary

As long as = Only if

• As long as we go somewhere hot.

Suppose + question clause  = How about if ...Note: Use this when making a suggestion.

• Suppose we go to America, will that be hot enough?

Unless = If ... not

• Unless I get the time off work, I won't be able to go.

Providing/provided = IfNote: Provided is more formal than providing but has the same meaning.

• Providing I get the time off work, I'll go.

On the condition that = If
Note: this is very formal and mostly used in writing.

• On the condition that you pay me extra, I'll work over the holiday.

Exercises: Conditionals 1

Conditionals 2

Conditionals 3

Conditionals 4

Complete the sentences without changing the meaning of the original sentences.

    

1.  The lecture was boring, so we didn’t stay.

          If the lecture ........................................................................  .

2.  I think you should accept the job.

          If I .......................................................................................  .

3.  Unfortunately, we forgot about the meeting.

          If only .................................................................................  .

4.  You must remind me or I’ll forget.

          Unless .................................................................................  .

5.  I would love to visit a rainforest one day.

          I wish ..................................................................................  .

6.  He regrets getting rid of his bike.

          He wishes ............................................................................  .

Rewrite the sentences with the words in brackets. Do not change the original meaning of the sentences.

1.   I feel terrible that I didn’t score a goal in the game yesterday. (if only)

     .................................................................................................................

2.   I woke up late, so I won’t get to school on time this morning. (if)

     .................................................................................................................

3.   It’s too bad they didn’t offer us a lift home. (I wish)

     .................................................................................................................

4.   You won’t get the best selection if you don’t go to the first day of the big sale. (unless)

     .................................................................................................................

5.   I didn’t pass my driving test because I was so nervous. (if)

     .................................................................................................................

Speaking practice. Opinions

French elections. Time to rethink politics

French election 2017: Why is it important?

Image copyrightREUTERS

Image captionThere are 11 candidates to choose from and this election is the most unpredictable in years

The world is watching to see if France becomes the next major country to challenge liberal values and the political establishment.

Two of the four candidates leading in the polls occupy the political extremes - the far-right Marine Le Pen and hard-left Jean-Luc Mélenchon.

The victory of either would place a question mark over France's continued membership of the EU in its present form. Were it to leave, could the EU survive the exit of one of its founding fathers?

And Thursday's fatal assault on a policeman by a Paris gunman - just the latest in a spate of attacks that has plagued the country - has only heightened the febrile atmosphere.

After the Brexit vote in the UK and election of US President Donald Trump, could France be the next nation to deal a blow to politics as usual?

What is new about this election?

The unpopular President François Hollande, a Socialist, is not seeking a second term - the first French president to opt out in modern history.

There are 11 candidates and the race is wide open. None looks likely to win more than 50% in the first round of voting on 23 April, so a run-off on 7 May seems assured.

French politics has historically been dominated by parties of the left and centre-right, but this model could be shattered this time around.

The Socialist candidate, Benoît Hamon, is seen as out of the running. His conservative rival, Republicans' candidate François Fillon, has had to battle to stay in the race after he was plunged into a judicial inquiry over "fake jobs".

Who could win?

If you believe the opinion polls there are two front-runners, far-right National Front leader Ms Le Pen and centrist Emmanuel Macron.

• Is Le Pen far-right?
• Emmanuel Macron: The meteoric rise of France's youngest presidential candidate

Ms Le Pen took over the leadership of the FN from her father in 2011 and has worked hard to "detoxify" the party from its extreme past.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionThere are five main candidates: (L-R) Francois Fillon, Benoît Hamon, Marine Le Pen, Emmanuel Macron and Jean-Luc Mélenchon

Mr Macron, a 39-year-old ex-investment banker, was economy minister under President Hollande but resigned in 2016 to fight for the presidency as head of his En Marche! (On the move) party. Not only has he never been an MP - he has never stood for election.

The early favourite was Mr Fillon, but his hopes were dented by allegations that he paid his wife public money for work she did not do. He is now under formal investigation, blaming a political conspiracy, but he is not out of the race and his team is still confident of making the second round.

• Who is French presidential candidate Fillon?
• Fillon devoured by 'fake jobs' affair

Image copyrightAFP

Image captionMs Le Pen and the other candidates made an obligatory appearance at the Paris Agricultural Fair

A surprise package in the election is far-left stalwart Mr Mélenchon, whose witty charisma has attracted new supporters.

What are the issues?

One of the overriding issues facing French voters is unemployment, which stands at almost 10% and is the eighth highest among the 28 EU member states. One in four under-25s is unemployed.

The French economy has made a slow recovery from the 2008 financial crisis and all the leading candidates say deep changes are needed.

Is the Fillon payment affair fake news?

That's what an investigating judge is hoping to find out.

Satirical weekly Le Canard Enchainé says his wife Penelope was paid €831,400 (£710,000; $900,000) for work as a parliamentary assistant that she did not carry out. One report suggested she did not even have a parliamentary pass or a work email.

Image captionLe Canard Enchainé has made a series of allegations about the Fillon family's earnings

She is also said to have pocketed €100,000 for writing just a handful of articles for a literary review owned by a billionaire friend of the family.

Mr Fillon insists everything was above board and says the investigation against him is a "political assassination" designed to deny French voters the choice of a centre-right candidate.

What makes the National Front far-right?

Ms Le Pen is fighting to appeal to the centre and left of French politics after working to move the party away from the image of her father, who has been repeatedly convicted for hate speech and describing the Holocaust as a "detail of history".

Media captionWhy people are voting for Marine Le Pen

But she still has a far-right platform. She wants to allocate public services to French citizens ahead of foreigners and has vowed to suspend all legal immigration.

The FN also has close ties with other European parties such as Austria's far-right Freedom Party that mainstream right-wing parties want nothing to do with.

• Guide to nationalist parties across Europe