Crime and Criminal Vocabulary

to jump bail = To flee while awaiting trial to blow the whistle = To expose wrongdoing to cover your tracks = To conceal evidence of actions to keep your nose clean = To avoid illegal activities

to come clean = To admit the truth to face the music = To accept consequences for actions to get a slap on the wrist = To receive a mild punishment to do time = To serve a prison sentence

to take the rap for something = To take the blame for something to point the finger at someone = To accuse another person to be above the law = To feel exempt from following rules to take the law into your own hands = To seek revenge without legal authority

<p>to rat on someone = To snitch to authorities to put/remain behind bars = To serve a sentence in prison to do something by the book = To follow rules impeccably to have a run-in with the law = To encounter legal authorities</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>to jump bail = Disappearing before trial to spill the beans = Revealing a secret to keep your plans close to the vest = Withholding information to blow the whistle = Reporting unethical behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>to cover your tracks = Hiding evidence to face the music = Confronting consequences to do time = Serving a prison term to take the law into your own hands = Seeking personal justice</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>to get a slap on the wrist = Receiving a lenient punishment to come clean = Confessing a wrongdoing to point the finger at someone = Blaming others for mistakes to remain behind bars = Staying in prison after conviction</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>to have a run-in with the law = Encountering legal issues to keep your nose clean = Avoiding trouble to take the rap for something = Accepting blame for a crime to jump bail = Avoiding trial by fleeing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>to be above the law = Exempt from rules due to status to do something by the book = Meticulously following procedures to rat on someone = Informing on a fellow accomplice to blow the whistle = Alerting authorities of wrongdoing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Burglary = The act of entering a building with the intent to commit a crime Shoplifting = The act of taking goods from a shop without paying for them Arson = The act of deliberately setting fire to property Vandalism = The deliberate destruction of or damage to public property</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Counterfeiting = The imitation of an authentic item to deceive others Extortion = Obtaining something through force or threats Fraud = Deceiving someone for financial gain Robbery = Taking property from a person or place by threat</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Domestic abuse = Harming or bullying a family member physically or psychologically Police brutality = Physical or psychological intimidation by police against individuals Sexual assault = Intentionally touching someone without consent Kidnapping = Abducting someone and holding them captive</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Identity theft = Stealing personal information for financial gain DUI = Driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics Carjacking = Violently stealing an occupied car Pickpocketing = Stealing from someone's pockets in public places</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Misdemeanor = A small offense usually carrying a fine Felony = A serious offense carrying a prison sentence of more than one year Infraction = A minor offense punishable by a fine Homicide = Killing another person, with or without premeditation</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Piracy = Unauthorized use of another's work Loan sharking = Lending money at exorbitant rates of interest Grooming = Forming a relationship with a child for illegal purposes Money laundering = Concealing the origins of illegally obtained money</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Looting = Stealing goods during a riot Corruption = Abusing a position for personal gain Hijacking = Seizing control of a vehicle by threat or force Reckless driving = Ignoring traffic rules and safety</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Speeding = Exceeding the speed limits Vandalism = Deliberate damage to public property Homicide = Killing with premeditation Infraction = Minor offense punishable only by a fine</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Trepassing = Accessing someone else’s property without permission Shoplifting = Taking goods from a shop unlawfully Assault = Carrying out a physical attack Scamming = Tricking people to obtain money</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Violent crime = A type of crime which involves a victim being harmed by or threatened with violence. Drug crime = A type of crime which involves the possession, manufacturing or distributing of illegal drugs. Property crime = A type of crime which involves a victim's property being stolen or destroyed, without the use or threat of force. Crime-related vocabulary = Terms and expressions associated with criminal actions and legal processes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To accuse someone of a crime = To claim that someone committed a crime. A place where trials happen = A court or a venue where legal proceedings occur. To come to a final decision = To reach a conclusion in a legal case. To bail someone out = To pay a fine for someone's release from custody.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To prosecute = To take legal action against someone. To defend = To protect someone accused of a crime. To convict = To find someone guilty of a crime. To appeal = To request a review of a court decision.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To be caught red-handed = To be caught in the act of committing a crime. To cry wolf = To raise a false alarm. To get away with murder = To escape punishment for a serious offense. To be in hot water = To be facing trouble due to one's actions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To deny = To claim that you did not do something. To detain = To hold someone in custody temporarily. To testify = To give a truthful account of a crime witnessed. To charge = To officially accuse someone of a crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Lawyer (us) = A professional representing someone in legal matters. Solicitor (uk) = A professional qualified to represent someone legally. Prosecutor = A public official accusing someone of a crime. Defendant = A person accused in a court case.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To sentence = To declare a punishment for an offender. Probation = Release of a prisoner under specific conditions. To serve a sentence = To undergo a punishment imposed by the court. To impose a fine = To require payment as a penalty for a crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Evidence = Proof used in a legal context. Allegation = A claim without proof. Witness = Someone who sees a crime take place. Testimony = A statement given by a witness in court.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Search warrant = A document allowing police to search a property. Indictment = Formal charge or accusation of a crime. Subpoena = A legal order to appear in court. Affidavit = A written statement confirmed by oath.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To hold someone accountable = To make someone responsible for their actions. To cooperate with law enforcement = To assist police in their investigations. To make a plea deal = To negotiate a lesser charge in exchange for a guilty plea. To file a lawsuit = To initiate legal proceedings against someone.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To conspire = To create a secretive unlawful plan. To offend = To cause harm or distress to someone. To abuse = To treat someone with cruelty. To amend = To make changes to laws or agreements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Taking goods from a shop without paying.

Entering a building to steal.

Destroying public property intentionally.

Taking something without permission.

Deceiving someone to gain money.

Killing someone with intent.

Secretly killing someone important.

Stealing an occupied vehicle by force.

Stealing someone's identity for financial gain.

Harming family members physically or emotionally.

To keep information secret, especially about criminal activities.

To flee while awaiting trial after being released on bail.

Believing oneself exempt from the rules everyone else follows, often due to power or wealth.

To expose wrongdoing or unethical behaviour, usually within an organization.

To admit the truth or confess to something hidden.

To hide evidence of your actions to avoid detection.

To follow rules and procedures meticulously.

To serve a prison sentence for a committed crime.

To confront the consequences of your actions.

To receive a light punishment for wrongdoing.

A crime where the victim is physically harmed or threatened with violence.

A crime involving illegal drugs, such as possession, manufacturing, or distribution.

A crime where a victim's property is stolen or damaged without violence.

To claim that someone committed a crime, but there is no proof yet.

A place where trials and other legal cases happen.

To come to a final decision in a legal case.

A sum of money paid as a punishment for a crime.

A criminal case where one party sues another party in court.

To arrest someone and keep them in prison until trial.

A group of citizens who decide whether a person is guilty or not.

A legal document that prohibits you from contacting a specific person.

To start a lawsuit against someone.

Killing someone without planning the murder beforehand.

A claim that someone has done something illegal, but there is no proof yet.

Someone who sees a crime take place.