Courtroom Vocabulary

verb to free or clear someone of a criminal charge by a verdict of not guilty

• The jury decided to acquit the defendant due to lack of evidence.
• The jury let the defendant off the hook because there wasn't enough proof.
• The defendant got off scot-free because the evidence was weak.
• The truth finally came to light and acquitted the defendant of all charges.

verb to declare someone not guilty of a criminal offense after a trial

adjective having been declared not guilty of a criminal offense

• The defendant was acquitted of all charges after a thorough trial.
• They let him go because they couldn't prove anything. He was acquitted.
• He got off scot-free, they acquitted him.
• Her conscience was finally acquitted of guilt after years of torment.

noun A Latin term meaning 'friend of the court', referring to a person or organization that is not a party to a case but offers information or expertise to assist the court in making a decision

• The amicus curiae brief submitted by the legal expert provided valuable insight to the court.
• The friend of the court brief, or amicus curiae, was really helpful in explaining the legal issues.
• The court got some extra help from the amicus curiae, which was pretty cool.
• The amicus curiae acted as a guiding light for the court in understanding the complex legal matters.

noun a legal procedure in which a person accused of a crime is formally charged and brought before a court

• The defendant's arraignment is scheduled for next Monday.
• They're arraigning him in court next week.
• He's getting arraigned on Monday.
• The arraignment of his actions by society was swift and harsh.

noun A person, typically a lawyer, appointed to act for another in business or legal matters.

• The attorney provided legal counsel to the defendant during the trial.
• I hired an attorney to help me with my divorce.
• My attorney is a real shark in the courtroom.
• The attorney's words were like a shield, protecting her client from harm.

noun A lawyer who specializes in representing clients in court.

• The barrister presented a compelling argument in court.
• I heard that the barrister is really good at winning cases.
• The barrister totally nailed it in the courtroom.
• She was a true barrister of justice, always fighting for what is right.

noun a person who is bound or tied by a bond to serve someone else

• The bondsman ensured that the defendant appeared in court as required.
• The bondsman helped my friend get out of jail last week.
• I heard the bondsman is a real pro at getting people out of sticky situations.
• In a way, the bondsman acted as a bridge between the accused and the legal system.

noun a person found guilty of a criminal offense and serving a sentence of imprisonment

verb to declare someone guilty of a criminal offense in a court of law

• The judge declared the defendant guilty and convicted him of the crime.
• They finally caught the thief and convicted him for the robbery.
• The cops busted him for dealing drugs and convicted him.
• His conscience was the convict that haunted him for years.

noun a plea

verb cop

• The defendant decided to cop a plea in order to avoid a lengthy trial.
• He knew he was guilty, so he decided to cop a plea.
• He didn't want to risk going to trial, so he decided to cop a plea.
• Sometimes it's better to cop a plea and move on with your life.

noun a person, company, or institution against whom an action is brought in a court of law

• The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.
• The person on trial says they didn't do it.
• The guy in court swears he's innocent.
• The accused is fighting tooth and nail to prove their innocence.

noun a serious crime, typically punishable by imprisonment or death

adjective related to or constituting a felony

• Committing a felony can result in serious legal consequences.
• If you get caught stealing, you could be charged with a felony.
• Don't do anything stupid that could land you a felony charge.
• Betraying your friends is like committing a felony against trust.

verb to select or enroll a group of people to serve as jurors in a court case

• The judge decided to impanel a jury for the upcoming trial.
• They're going to impanel a group of people to help make a decision.
• I heard they're impaneling a bunch of randoms for jury duty.
• In order to make a fair decision, it's important to impanel a diverse group of individuals.

noun a public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law

verb to form an opinion or conclusion about someone or something after careful consideration

• The judge carefully considered all the evidence before making a ruling.
• I heard the judge is known for being tough but fair in the courtroom.
• Don't worry about him, he's just a judgmental judge.
• She always seems to judge a book by its cover before getting to know the person.

noun a judge or the judiciary as a whole

adjective relating to the administration of justice or the court system

• The judicial system plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law.
• The judge made a fair decision in the case.
• I can't believe the verdict the court gave, it was so messed up.
• Her moral compass serves as her own judicial system in making tough decisions.

verb to fail to appear in court after being released on bail

• The defendant decided to jump bail and flee the country before the trial.
• He's planning to jump bail and skip town.
• She's gonna jump bail and disappear.
• Sometimes it feels like I just want to jump bail and escape from all my responsibilities.

noun a professional who is trained in the law and gives legal assistance

• The legal counselor provided expert advice on navigating the complex legal system.
• I always turn to my legal counselor for help with any legal issues.
• My legal counselor is like my legal superhero, always saving the day.
• In times of trouble, a legal counselor can be a guiding light through the darkness of legal matters.

noun a person involved in a lawsuit

• The litigant presented their case in front of the judge.
• The person suing is called the litigant.
• The litigant was really gunning for a win in court.
• In the courtroom, the litigant was like a warrior fighting for justice.

verb to engage in legal proceedings or a lawsuit

• The company decided to litigate the case in court to seek justice.
• I heard they're planning to take legal action and litigate.
• They're gonna sue and litigate the heck out of them.
• Sometimes it feels like we have to litigate every little disagreement in this family.

noun A civil officer or lay judge who administers the law, especially one who conducts a court that deals with minor offenses and holds preliminary hearings for more serious ones.

• The magistrate presided over the court proceedings with impartiality and integrity.
• The magistrate is known for being fair and just in his judgments.
• Yo, did you hear about that crazy case the magistrate had to deal with?
• The magistrate of truth and justice will always prevail in the end.

adjective a word that describes or gives more information about a noun or pronoun; in this case, 'perjured' describes someone who has committed perjury

• The witness was charged with perjured testimony during the trial.
• She got caught perjured herself on the stand.
• He straight up perjured when he said he wasn't there.
• His promises turned out to be as perjured as his oath in court.

noun a lament or complaint

verb none

adjective none

adverb none

pronoun none

preposition none

conjunction none

interjection none

article none

• The plaintiff filed a plaint with the court regarding the breach of contract.
• She lodged a plaint against her neighbor for playing loud music late at night.
• He made a plaint to the teacher about the unfair grading system.
• Her plaint about the lack of opportunities in the company fell on deaf ears.

noun a person who brings a case against another in a court of law

• The plaintiff presented their case before the judge in the courtroom.
• The person suing is called the plaintiff.
• The plaintiff is the one who's taking legal action.
• In this scenario, the plaintiff represents the aggrieved party seeking justice.

verb to make an emotional appeal; to make a formal statement in defense or support of a cause

• The defendant decided to plead not guilty in court.
• I heard that Sarah is going to plead with her parents to let her go to the concert.
• Don't plead ignorance with me, I know you were involved in the prank.
• The artist's work seemed to plead with the viewer to understand the pain and suffering depicted.

noun a formal statement of the cause of an action or defense

adjective characterized by or expressing earnest entreaty

• The lawyer made a compelling pleading in court for his client's innocence.
• She was pleading with her parents to let her go to the concert.
• I'm tired of him pleading for forgiveness every time he messes up.
• The puppy's pleading eyes begged for a treat from its owner.

verb to bring a criminal action against someone in a court of law

• The district attorney decided to prosecute the suspect for embezzlement.
• The police are going to prosecute that guy for stealing.
• They're gonna prosecute him for pulling that stunt.
• Her guilt was so overwhelming that she felt like her conscience was prosecuting her.

noun the party instituting a legal action in a court of law

• The prosecution presented strong evidence against the defendant in court.
• The prosecution is really going after that guy in the trial.
• The prosecution is gunning for a conviction in this case.
• The prosecution of corrupt officials is like a game of chess, with each move carefully planned out.

noun a bond or obligation entered into before a court or magistrate, binding a person to do a particular act

• The judge released the defendant on his own recognizance.
• The cop let me go on my own recognizance.
• I got out of jail on my own recog.
• She kept her promises out of a sense of moral recognizance.

noun A person who gives legal advice and prepares legal documents

• The solicitor advised his client on the legal implications of the contract.
• My solicitor helped me sort out my will and estate planning.
• I heard that shady solicitor got caught taking bribes from clients.
• She was a solicitor of good taste, always recommending the best restaurants in town.

verb to demand or specify as part of an agreement or arrangement

• The terms of the contract stipulated that payment must be made within 30 days.
• The rules clearly stated that we had to be there by 9pm, no exceptions.
• The boss made it crystal clear that we had to finish the project by Friday.
• The agreement set forth strict guidelines that we had to follow to the letter.

noun a writ ordering a person to attend a court.

verb to summon with a subpoena.

• The lawyer issued a subpoena to compel the witness to testify in court.
• The cop served him with a subpoena to appear in court.
• They hit him with a subpoena to show up at the trial.
• The sudden rainstorm was like a subpoena from nature to stay indoors.

noun a decision or judgment made after considering all the evidence in a legal case

• The judge will announce the final verdict in the court tomorrow.
• We'll find out what the verdict is at the end of the trial.
• I heard the verdict was a slam dunk for the prosecution.
• The verdict of history will judge our actions in the present.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun

• In legal proceedings, the English Rule states that the losing party must pay the legal costs of the winning party.
• According to the English Rule, if you lose the case, you have to cover the other party's legal fees.
• If you get beat in court, you gotta cough up for the other side's lawyer under the English Rule.
• The English Rule of debate dictates that the person with the strongest argument will prevail.

noun a legal guardian appointed to act on behalf of a minor or incapacitated person in legal matters

• The court appointed a guardian ad litem to represent the best interests of the child in the custody case.
• My friend's mom is acting as the guardian ad litem for her little brother in the court case.
• The guardian ad litem is like the kid's legal bodyguard in court.
• The guardian ad litem serves as a beacon of protection and guidance for the child amidst the legal proceedings.

noun a word that functions as the name of a specific object, person, place, or concept

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• The court ruled secundum allegata et probata, based on the allegations and evidence presented.
• The judge made the decision according to what was alleged and proven.
• The verdict was based on the stuff they said and showed.
• The outcome followed the storyline and evidence provided.

verb to deliver or announce a formal decision or judgment in a court of law

preposition a word that shows the relationship between 'bring' and 'verdict'

• The jury will convene to bring in a verdict after carefully considering all the evidence presented in court.
• The judge will soon bring in a verdict, so let's hope for the best!
• I heard the jury is about to bring in a verdict, fingers crossed for a positive outcome.
• After much deliberation, my heart finally brought in a verdict on the matter.

noun a writ or order by which a higher court reviews a decision of a lower court

• The Supreme Court granted certiorari to review the lower court's decision.
• The Supreme Court decided to take up the case for review.
• The Supreme Court said, 'We'll check it out.'
• The Supreme Court's decision to grant certiorari shed light on the importance of the case.

noun a legal term referring to a formal declaration of innocence or acquittal in a court case

• The judge granted an absolvitor in the case due to lack of evidence.
• The court gave an absolvitor because they couldn't prove anything.
• The absolvitor was handed out like candy in that trial.
• Receiving absolvitor felt like a weight being lifted off my shoulders.

noun a person who is declared not guilty in a court of law, especially after a trial

verb not applicable

adjective not applicable

adverb not applicable

pronoun not applicable

preposition not applicable

conjunction not applicable

interjection not applicable

article not applicable

• The jury decided to acquit the defendant of all charges.
• The judge let him off the hook and acquitted him.
• They let him walk and acquitted him.
• His conscience acquitted him of any wrongdoing.

noun a plural form of the word 'acusia', which refers to the loss of the ability to hear sounds normally

• The lawyer presented compelling evidence to refute the acusiae against his client.
• I heard there are some acusiae floating around about that new employee.
• Don't believe all those acusiae, they're just rumors.
• Her sharp words were like acusiae, piercing through his defenses.

verb to suspend a meeting or session with the intention of resuming it at a later time

• The meeting was adjourned until next week to allow for further research on the topic.
• They adjourned the game because of the rain, but we'll continue playing tomorrow.
• Let's adjourn this study session and grab some coffee instead.
• After a long day of work, I adjourned to my favorite spot in the park to relax and unwind.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

adverb a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The court adjourns to reconvene next Monday.
• Let's adjourn to the park for a picnic.
• After studying for hours, we decided to adjourn to grab some pizza.
• As the sun sets, the meeting adjourns to continue the discussion tomorrow.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action or a state of being

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun or pronoun and other words in a sentence

• The meeting will adjourn to the conference room for further discussion.
• Let's adjourn to the break room for some coffee.
• We should adjourn to my place after the party.
• After a long day of work, I like to adjourn to my favorite spot in the park to relax.

noun a person who takes an oath or makes a solemn declaration

• The adjuror solemnly swore to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth in court.
• The adjuror was asked to take an oath before testifying in the trial.
• The adjuror had to swear on the Bible before giving their testimony.
• As an adjuror of the community, he felt a sense of duty to speak out against injustice.

noun a word that refers to a person, place, thing, event, substance, or quality

preposition a word governing, and usually preceding, a noun or pronoun and expressing a relation to another word or element in the clause

article a word that is used with a noun to specify grammatical definiteness of the noun, and in some languages extending to volume or numerical scope

• The lawyer submitted an affidavit of merits to support their client's case in court.
• The attorney handed in a document with all the good stuff to help their client's case.
• The legal eagle dropped a paper with all the juicy details to back up their client.
• The sworn statement of the plaintiff's qualifications acted as a strong foundation for their legal argument.