My name is Yara Abi Raad and becoming a lawyer has always been my first choice career. On top of being a fascinating field, I had the chance to attend a great number of trials as part of an internship. Anyway, the following glossary is intended to anyone who has the slightest interest in law. Its purpose is to inform and enlighten the readers on the main aspects of the concerned field.
Contrary to what many think, law isn't just about distinguishing right from wrong. Law is a field with several branches. To name a few, international law, criminal law, business law, civil rights law and bankruptcy law are some of the most common fields. From another angle, whether it's through politics, economics, human rights and even environmental issues, the practice of law is constantly in contact with human activities. Therefore, we can say that the law fields are essential to the proper functioning of a man's environment.
Accused
Verb
A person or group of people who are charged with or on trial for a crime.
Example: My neighbor has been accused of first degree murder.
en: Accusé
Acquit
Verb
Free (someone) from a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty.
Example: She was acquitted on all counts.
en: Acquitter
Allegation
Noun
A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: I have been accused of harassment and I wish to refute the allegation.
en: Allégation
Attorney
Noun
A person appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.
Example: She is my attorney for the day.
en: Avocat
Bail
Noun
The temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money be lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
Example: He has been released on bail.
en: Caution
Capital punishment
Noun
The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.
Example: The capital punishment has been abolished.
en: Peine capitale
Crime
Noun
An action or omission that constitutes an offense that may be prosecuted by the state and is punishable by law.
Example: Murder is a serious crime.
en: Crime
Custody
Noun
Imprisonment.
Example: He was held in custody.
en: Garde
Jail
Noun
A place for the confinement of people accused or convicted of a crime.
Example: He served 15 months in jail.
en: Prison
Jeopardy
Noun
Danger arising from being on trial for a criminal offense.
Example: He was in jeopardy after being charged with shoplifting.
en: Péril
Judge
Noun
A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.
Example: The judge gave him a sentence of 5 years to pay for his crimes.
en: Juge
Juror
Noun
A member of a jury.
Example: He was one of the juror in this morning's murder trial.
en: Juré
Jury
Noun
A body of people (typically twelve in number) sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court.
Example: The jury returned unanimous guilty verdicts.
en: Jury
Lawyer
Noun
A person who practices or studies law; an attorney or a counselor.
Example: Sarah was the lawyer who defended Chris during his last trial.
en: Avocat
Oath
Noun
A solemn promise, often invoking a divine witness, regarding one's future action or behavior.
Example: They took and oath before answering the questions.
en: Serment
Plea bargain
Noun
An arrangement between prosecutor and defendant whereby the defendant pleads guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a more lenient sentence or an agreement to drop other charges.
Example: The media coverage caused the judge to rethink the plea bargain.
en: Négociation de plaidoyer
Record
Noun
The sum of the past achievements or actions of a person or organization; a person or thing's previous conduct or performance.
Example: Surprisingly, the criminal has a clean record.
Testimony
Noun
A formal written or spoken statement, especially one given in a court of law.
Example: His blackened finger was testimony to the fact that he had played in pain.
en: Témoignage
Trial
Noun
A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Example: He lost his trial.
en: Procès
Verdict
Noun
A decision on a disputed issue in a civil or criminal case or an inquest.
Example: The jury returned the verdict of ''not guilty''.