Crime & Law

20 words

1. 1

   report a crimeverb phrase/rɪˈpɔːt ə kraɪm/

   to tell the police that a crime has happened

   “I went to the station to report a crime after someone broke my car window.”

2. 2

   launch an investigationverb phrase/lɔːntʃ ən ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeɪʃən/

   to start a formal inquiry into an event or allegation

   “The council launched an investigation into the building fire.”

3. 3

   gather evidenceverb phrase/ˈɡæðə(r) ˈɛvɪdəns/

   to collect facts, documents or objects that help prove what happened

   “Investigators gathered evidence from the scene before it rained.”

4. 4

   grant bailverb phrase/ɡrɑːnt beɪl/

   to allow a defendant to be released from custody on the condition of bail

   “The judge granted bail to the defendant pending further inquiries.”

5. 5

   pay a fineverb phrase/peɪ ə faɪn/

   to give money as a penalty for breaking a rule or law

   “Drivers who park illegally must pay a fine.”

6. 6

   commit a crimeverb phrase/kəˈmɪt ə kraɪm/

   to do something illegal

   “Many young people commit a crime because of peer pressure and lack of supervision.”

7. 7

   be arrestedverb phrase/bi əˈrɛstɪd/

   to be taken by the police because you are suspected of a crime

   “Several protesters were arrested after the march.”

8. 8

   take legal actionverb phrase/teɪk ˈliːɡ(ə)l ˈækʃən/

   to use the law to try to solve a problem, for example by suing someone

   “If the landlord doesn't fix the heating, tenants may take legal action.”

9. 9

   be convicted ofverb phrase/bi kənˈvɪktɪd əv/

   to be declared guilty by a court of law for a particular crime

   “He was convicted of fraud and given a five-year sentence.”

10. 10

    break the lawverb phrase/breɪk ðə lɔː/

    to act against the law; to do something illegal

    “Companies that dump toxic waste into rivers break the law and harm the environment.”

11. 11

    question a suspectverb phrase/ˈkwes.tʃən ə ˈsʌs.pɛkt/

    to ask someone believed to be involved in a crime about their actions

    “Detectives questioned the suspect for several hours overnight.”

12. 12

    take someone to courtverb phrase/teɪk ˈsʌmwʌn tuː kɔːt/

    to start legal proceedings against someone in a court of law

    “After being scammed, she took the company to court.”

13. 13

    criminal recordnoun phrase/ˈkrɪmɪnəl ˈrɛkɔːd/

    an official record of the crimes a person has been convicted of

    “Employers often check applicants' criminal records before hiring for sensitive positions.”

14. 14

    plead guiltyverb phrase/pliːd ˈɡɪlti/

    to admit in court that you committed the crime you are accused of

    “He decided to plead guilty to the lesser charge.”

15. 15

    be acquitted ofverb phrase/bi əˈkwɪtɪd əv/

    to be officially declared not guilty of a crime by a court

    “He was acquitted of all charges after new evidence emerged.”

16. 16

    law enforcementnoun phrase/lɔː ɪnˈfɔːsmənt/

    agencies and officers responsible for enforcing laws (e.g. the police)

    “Law enforcement must balance public safety with respect for individual rights.”

17. 17

    press chargesverb phrase/prɛs ˈtʃɑːrdʒɪz/

    to make a formal accusation so that someone will be prosecuted

    “Victims sometimes decide not to press charges, which can make prosecution difficult.”

18. 18

    file a complaintverb phrase/faɪl ə kəmˈpleɪnt/

    To officially submit a statement about a problem or wrongdoing to an authority.

    “After the company ignored her emails, she decided to file a complaint with customer services.”

19. 19

    serve a sentenceverb phrase/sɜːv ə ˈsɛntəns/

    to spend the time ordered by a court as punishment (usually in prison)

    “He served a five‑year sentence for fraud and was released last year.”

20. 20

    community servicenoun phrase/kəˈmjuːnɪti ˈsɜːvɪs/

    Unpaid work that an offender is ordered to do for the community instead of, or in addition to, prison.

    “Instead of jail, the judge ordered him to do 100 hours of community service.”