You may have heard words like ‘court’, ‘judge’, ‘lawyer’, ‘evidence’, or ‘contract’ in the news, movies, books, or classroom discussions. These words are known as legal terms because they are commonly used in the legal system.
Legal terms help people understand laws, rights, responsibilities, and court procedures. While some legal words are used mainly by lawyers and judges, many are part of everyday life. Understanding these terms can improve vocabulary, strengthen reading comprehension, and help you become a more informed citizen.
In this guide, you will learn the meanings of common legal terms in English, important courtroom vocabulary, legal terms used in contracts and criminal law, and several Latin legal terms that are still used today.
Table of Contents
What is a Legal Term?
A legal term is a word or phrase that has a specific meaning in the field of law. Legal terms are used by courts, judges, and lawyers. They are also used by police, lawmakers, and government agencies. They describe legal processes, rights, duties, and decisions. Some legal terms are easy to understand and appear in everyday conversations. Others are more specialised and are commonly used in legal documents and court proceedings. Examples of legal terms are ‘court’, ‘judge’, ‘lawyer’, ‘evidence’, ‘witness’, ‘contract’, ‘trial’, ‘jury’, ‘appeal’, and ‘verdict’. Each of these terms has a specific meaning within the legal system.
Common Legal Words Every Student Should Know
Before learning advanced legal terminology, it helps to understand the most common legal words.
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Legal Word
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Meaning
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Law
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Rules created by a government
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Court
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A place where legal disputes are decided
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Judge
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A person who makes decisions in court
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Lawyer
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A professional trained in law
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Attorney
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Another word for a lawyer
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Jury
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A group of people who help decide a case
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Witness
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A person who provides information about an event
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Evidence
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Information used to prove facts
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Crime
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An action that breaks the law
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Criminal
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A person who commits a crime
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Trial
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A court examination of a case
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Defendant
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A person accused in court
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Plaintiff
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A person who brings a legal case
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Verdict
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The final decision in a case
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Justice
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Fair treatment according to the law
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Rights
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Legal freedoms and protections
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Contract
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A legally binding agreement
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Appeal
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A request to review a decision
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Constitution
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The highest law of a country
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Government
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The authority that creates and enforces laws
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List of Legal Terms and Meanings in English
Understanding legal terms can help you learn about rights, responsibilities, legal processes, and how the justice system works. Below is a list of common legal terms and their meanings, organised into different categories for easier learning.
Core Legal System Terminology
These are the foundational words that describe how courts and the legal system are structured and how they work.
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Term
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Meaning
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Law
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A system of rules created and enforced by a government or society.
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Constitution
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The highest law of a country that defines government powers and citizens' rights.
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Legislature
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The branch of government responsible for making laws.
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Judiciary
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The branch of government that interprets and applies laws.
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Executive
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The branch of government that enforces laws.
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Court
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A legal institution where disputes are resolved and justice is administered.
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Judge
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An official who presides over court proceedings and makes legal decisions.
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Lawyer
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A professional trained to provide legal advice and represent clients.
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Case
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A legal dispute or matter brought before a court.
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Plaintiff
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The person or party that initiates a lawsuit.
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Defendant
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The person or party being sued or accused.
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Jurisdiction
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The authority of a court to hear and decide a case.
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Petition
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A formal written request submitted to a court or authority.
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Appeal
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A request for a higher court to review a lower court's decision.
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Verdict
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The final decision reached by a judge or jury in a trial.
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Statute
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A written law passed by a legislative body.
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Regulation
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An official rule issued by a government authority.
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Ordinance
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A law enacted by a local government.
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Affidavit
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A written statement made under oath.
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Testimony
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Evidence given by a witness under oath.
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Evidence
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Information or material used to prove facts in a case.
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Witness
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A person who provides information or evidence in a legal proceeding.
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Trial
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A formal examination of evidence before a court.
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Bail
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Money or security provided for temporary release from custody before trial.
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Subpoena
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A legal order requiring a person to appear in court or produce documents.
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Injunction
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A court order requiring someone to do or stop doing a specific act.
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Precedent
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A previous court decision that is used as a guide in similar cases.
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Contract
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A legally enforceable agreement between parties.
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Crime
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An act that violates the law and is punishable by the state.
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Sentence
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The punishment imposed after a criminal conviction.
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Acquittal
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A judgement that a person is not guilty of a crime.
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Fine
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A monetary penalty imposed for violating a law.
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Settlement
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An agreement that resolves a dispute without a court trial.
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Contract and Civil Law Terms
Civil law deals with disputes between individuals, businesses, or organisations.
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Term
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Meaning
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Civil Law
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The area of law that deals with disputes between individuals, businesses, or organisations rather than criminal offences.
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Contract
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A legally enforceable agreement between two or more parties.
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Agreement
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A mutual understanding or arrangement between parties.
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Consideration
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Something of value exchanged between parties in a contract.
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Breach of Contract
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Failure to perform the duties required under a contract.
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Obligation
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A legal duty or responsibility that must be fulfilled.
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Liability
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Legal responsibility for an action, loss, or damage.
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Negligence
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Failure to take reasonable care, resulting in harm or injury to another person.
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Damages
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Money awarded by a court to compensate for loss, injury, or harm.
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Compensation
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Payment made to cover a loss, injury, or damage.
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Claim
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A demand for a legal right, remedy, or compensation.
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Lawsuit
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A legal action brought before a court to resolve a dispute.
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Settlement
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An agreement that resolves a dispute without a court trial.
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Tort
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A civil wrong that causes harm and gives the injured party the right to seek compensation.
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Defamation
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Making false statements that damage a person's reputation.
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Property
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Anything that can be legally owned, such as land, buildings, or personal belongings.
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Ownership
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The legal right to possess, use, and control property.
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Lease
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A legal contract that allows someone to rent property for a specific period.
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Tenant
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A person who rents property from an owner.
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Landlord
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A person who owns property and rents it to others.
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Warranty
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A legal promise regarding the quality or condition of a product or service.
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Consent
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Permission or agreement given voluntarily by a person.
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Injunction
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A court order requiring someone to do or stop doing a specific act.
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Indemnity
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A promise to compensate another party for certain losses or damages.
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Arbitration
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A method of resolving disputes outside court through an independent third party.
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Patent
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A legal right that protects an invention and prevents others from using it without permission.
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Copyright
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Legal protection granted to creators of original works such as books, music, and films.
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Intellectual Property (IP)
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Creations of the mind that are protected by law, including patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
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Criminal Law Terms
Criminal law deals with crimes and punishments.
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Term
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Meaning
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Criminal Law
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The area of law that deals with crimes and punishments for acts that harm society.
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Crime
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An act that violates the law and is punishable by the government.
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Criminal
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A person who commits a crime or has been convicted of one.
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Felony
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A serious crime that usually carries a prison sentence of more than one year.
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Misdemeanor
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A less serious crime that is typically punishable by a fine or a short jail sentence.
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Arrest
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The act of taking a person into legal custody.
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Charge
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A formal accusation that a person has committed a crime.
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Investigation
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The process of gathering facts and evidence about a suspected crime.
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Prosecution
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The legal process through which the government seeks to prove that a person committed a crime.
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Defense
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The legal arguments and evidence presented on behalf of the accused person.
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Evidence
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Information, documents, or objects used to establish facts in a criminal case.
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Witness
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A person who provides information or evidence related to a case.
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Testimony
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A statement given by a witness under oath.
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Bail
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Money or security paid to secure temporary release from custody before trial.
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Arraignment
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The first court appearance where charges are formally presented and a plea is entered.
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Plea
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The defendant's formal response to a criminal charge, such as guilty or not guilty.
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Reasonable Doubt
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The high standard of proof required to convict someone in a criminal case.
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Mens Rea
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The intention or mental state required to commit a crime, often called a “guilty mind”.
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Actus Reus
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The physical act that constitutes a criminal offence, often called a “guilty act”.
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Guilty
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Responsible for committing a crime.
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Innocent
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Not responsible for committing a crime.
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Conviction
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A formal finding that a person is guilty of a crime.
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Acquittal
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A court decision that a person is not guilty of a crime.
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Sentence
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The punishment imposed after a criminal conviction.
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Fine
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A monetary penalty ordered by a court.
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Probation
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Court-ordered supervision instead of, or in addition to, imprisonment.
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Parole
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Conditional early release from prison under supervision.
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Imprisonment
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Confinement in a jail or prison as punishment for a crime.
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Theft
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Taking another person's property without permission.
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Robbery
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Taking property through force, threats, or intimidation.
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Fraud
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Intentional deception for personal or financial gain.
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Assault
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Intentionally threatening or causing physical harm to another person.
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Act of God
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An unforeseeable natural event, such as a flood or earthquake, that may affect legal responsibility under contracts or insurance policies.
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Important Courtroom Terms
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Term
|
Meaning
|
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Trial
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A formal examination of a case
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Hearing
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A legal proceeding before a judge
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Jury
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Citizens selected to decide facts
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Prosecutor
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Lawyer representing the government
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Defense Attorney
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Lawyer representing the accused
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Oath
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A promise to tell the truth
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Subpoena
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A court order to appear
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Objection
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A challenge to evidence or procedure
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Cross-Examination
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Questioning a witness by the opposing side
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Transcript
|
Written record of proceedings
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Clerk
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Court official handling records
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Docket
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Schedule of court cases
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Exhibit
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Physical evidence presented in court
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Motion
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A formal request to the court
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Ruling
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A judge's decision
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Important Latin Legal Terms
Many legal terms in law come from Latin. Some of the important Latin legal terms are:
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Latin Term
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Meaning
|
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Habeas Corpus
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A legal principle that protects people from unlawful detention and requires a person to be brought before a court.
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Prima Facie
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Based on the initial evidence; sufficient until disproved.
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Pro Bono
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Free professional legal services provided without payment.
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Bona Fide
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Genuine, honest, or made in good faith.
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De Facto
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Existing in practice, even if not officially recognised by law.
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De Jure
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Existing or recognised by law.
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Mens Rea
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The mental intent or "guilty mind" required to commit a crime.
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Actus Reus
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The physical act or "guilty act" that constitutes a crime.
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Ex Parte
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A legal proceeding involving only one party without the presence of the other.
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Per Se
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By itself or inherently.
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In Camera
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Conducted privately, usually in a judge's chambers or closed courtroom.
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Amicus Curiae
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A person or organisation that assists the court by providing information or expertise.
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Caveat Emptor
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Let the buyer beware; buyers are responsible for checking a product before purchasing.
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Stare Decisis
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The principle that courts should follow previous decisions in similar cases.
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Sub Judice
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A matter that is currently under judicial consideration and awaiting a court decision.
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Ultra Vires
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An action taken beyond the legal authority or power granted to a person or organisation.
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In Loco Parentis
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Acting in the place of a parent and assuming parental responsibilities.
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Ad Hoc
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Created or arranged for a specific purpose or situation.
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Moot
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A matter that no longer has practical significance or requires a decision.
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Why Should Students Learn Legal Terms?
Learning legal terms can help students:
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Understand news reports and current events
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Improve reading and vocabulary skills
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Learn about rights and responsibilities
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Prepare for civics and social studies classes
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Develop critical thinking and analytical skills
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Better understand government and legal systems
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Build a foundation for future careers in law, public service, or politics
How Can Students Use Legal Terminology?
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In School Subjects: Legal terms often appear in civics, history, social studies, and political science lessons.
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While Reading News: Understanding legal vocabulary helps you follow court cases, laws, and government decisions.
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In Debates and Discussions: Legal terms can make your arguments clearer, stronger, and more persuasive.
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During Mock Trials: Knowing legal terminology helps you participate confidently in courtroom simulations and role-play activities.
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In Everyday Life: Legal language appears in contracts, school policies, and terms and conditions that you may encounter regularly.
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For Future Careers: Learning legal terms can be useful for careers in law, government, journalism, public policy, and business.
