Topic vocabulary in contrast |
| proof (n) |
information or evidence that shows that something is definitely true |
We were unable to establish proof of her innocence. |
| evidence (n) |
facts, statements or objects that help to prove whether someone has committed a crime |
The police didn't have enough evidence to convict him. |
| suspect (v) |
to believe that something is true |
Police suspected that she had some connection with the robbery. |
| arrest (v) |
if the police arrest someone, they take that person to a police station because they think that he or she has committed a crime |
He was arrested for possession of illegal drugs. |
| charge (v) |
to accuse someone of committing a crime |
The police have charged him with murder. |
| suspect(n) |
someone who might have committed a crime |
Have the police interviewed any suspects yet? |
| accused (n) |
someone who is accused of a crime in a court of law |
The accused told the judge that he was not guilty. |
| decision (n) |
a choice that you make after you have thought carefully about something |
The committee will make a decision by the end of the week. |
| verdict (n) |
an official judgment made in a court |
The jury took 16 hours to reach a verdict. |
| commit (v) |
to do something that is illegal or morally wrong |
The study aims to find out what makes people commit crimes. |
| break (v) |
to fail to obey a rule or law |
Students who break these rules will be punished. |
| rule (n) |
a statement that explains what you can or cannot do in a particular situation |
You can't do that, it's against the rules! |
| law (n) |
the system of rules that must be obeyed in society |
Failing to declare any extra income is against the law. |
| justice (n) |
treatment of people that is fair and morally right |
Victims are calling for justice. |
| right (n) |
something that you are morally or legally allowed to do or have |
We are fighting for workers' rights. |
| judge (n) |
someone whose job is to make decisions in a court of law |
The judge sentenced her to ninety days in prison. |
| jury (n) |
a group of members of the public who decide whether someone is guilty in a court case |
The jury found him guilty. |
| prosecute(v) |
to officially accuse someone of a crime and ask a court of law to judge them |
My neighbour is being prosecuted for driving without a valid licence. |
| persecute (v) |
to treat someone very badly because of their race, religion or political beliefs |
A large number of Catholics were persecuted during the war. |
| capital punishment (n) |
the punishment of legally killing someone who has committed a serious crime |
They still have capital punishment in the USA. |
| corporal punishment (n) |
punishment that consists of hitting someone |
When I was at school, corporal punishment was common. |
| robber (n) |
someone who steals money or property |
Why do they always glamorise bank robbers in movies? |
| burglar (n) |
someone who enters a building illegally in order to steal things |
Burglars broke into our office last night and stole all the telephones. |
| thief(n) |
someone who steals something: How dare you accuse me of being a thief |
I've never stolen anything in my life! |
| vandal (n) |
someone who deliberately damages or destroys things, especially public property |
Vandals have broken the public telephone outside our house again. |
| hooligan (n) |
someone who is noisy or violent in public places |
Football hooligans caused a lot of damage to the stadium. |
| sentence (v) |
if a judge sentences someone, they officially say what that person's punishment will be |
He was sentenced to 15 years in prison. |
| imprison (v) |
to put someone in a prison, or to keep them in a place that they cannot escape from |
He had been imprisoned for fifteen years before he managed to prove his innocence. |
| innocent (adj) |
not guilty of a crime or anything bad |
Under the law, everyone is considered innocent until proved guilty. |
| guilty (adj) |
someone who is guilty has committed a crime or has done something wrong |
Patrick knew that he was guilty of lying. |
| witness (n) |
someone who sees a crime, accident or other event happen |
Witnesses reported hearing two gunshots. |
| bystander (n) |
someone who sees an event happen, but who is not directly involved in it |
The car crashed into the wall, nearly hitting two bystanders. |
| lawyer (n) |
someone whose profession is to provide people with legal advice and services |
Mayer's lawyer spoke to the press today. |
| solicitor (n) |
in the UK, a lawyer who gives legal advice, writes legal contracts, and represents people in the lower courts of law |
You'll be hearing from my solicitor. |
