IELTS Law Vocabulary
Essential IELTS vocabulary is split into common IELTS topics and subsections in much more detail in our complete online course, so become a member today.
On this page, we are focusing on vocabulary used to describe the law – crimes, criminals, the legal system and more.
Take a look at the list below. How many words do you know? We will soon be adding vocabulary exercises to these pages, but for now, we hope the lists help!
Degrees of Crime
- Misdemeanour – A minor crime, punishable by a fine or light jail term
- Felony [US English] – Crime punishable by death or imprisonment over one year
- Infraction – Minor crimes, e.g., riding a bike at night without lights
Punishment
- Capital punishment – The death penalty
- Incarcerated – To be put in prison
- Suspended sentence – Prison time delayed or dismissed if no further crimes occur
- Maximum security – A tightly controlled prison
- Damages – Money a guilty party pays to a victim
Types of Crime
- White collar crime – Non-violent crimes by professionals
- Homicide – Legal term for murder
- Larceny – Legal term for theft
- Arson – Setting fire to property
- Embezzlement – Stealing money you were trusted to manage
- Forgery – Making illegal copies of official documents
- Fraud – Deceiving someone for illegal gain
- Hate crime – Crime against someone due to their social group
The People Involved
- Judge – Decides the punishment for a guilty person
- Defendant – The person accused of a crime
- Prosecution – Tries to prove the defendant is guilty
- Jury – 12 people who decide if the accused is guilty
- Witness – Gives evidence in court
- Attorney / Barrister – Legal professional defending or prosecuting a case
The Legal Process
- To arrest someone – To take someone into custody
- A trial – When evidence is examined by judge and jury
- Verdict – Decision on guilt or innocence
- Appeal – Challenging the final decision
- Confession – When the accused admits guilt
- Testimony – Written or spoken statement in court
Miscellaneous Vocabulary
- Immunity – Not prosecuted in exchange for testimony against another criminal
Exercise 1: Complete the Sentence
1. A minor crime, punishable by a fine or a light jail term is called a .
2. Being put in prison formally is called .
3. Setting fire to property deliberately is .
4. A crime against someone due to race, religion, or social group is a .
5. The decision on guilt or innocence is called the .
Exercise 2: Complete the Sentence
6. A crime punishable by death or imprisonment over one year is called a .
7. A minor crime, such as riding a bike without lights, is known as an .
8. Prison where inmates are watched very closely is called .
9. Prison time delayed or dismissed if no further crimes occur is called a .
10. Money a guilty party pays to a victim is called .
Exercise 3: Types of Crime
11. Crimes committed by professionals without violence are called .
12. Legal term for murder is .
13. Legal term for theft is .
14. Stealing money you were trusted to manage is called .
15. Making illegal copies of official documents is .
16. Deceiving someone for illegal gain is .
17. A crime against someone because of their social group is a .
Exercise 4: The People Involved
18. The person who decides the punishment in court is the .
19. The person accused of a crime is the .
20. The team trying to prove guilt in court is the .
21. People who give evidence in court are called .
22. Legal professionals defending or prosecuting cases are called .
Exercise 5: The Legal Process & Misc
23. Taking someone into custody is to .
24. The final decision on guilt or innocence is the .
25. Not being prosecuted in exchange for testimony is called .