Vocabulary Words Every Judge Should Know

Judge

Definition: To form an opinion about something; a person who decides in legal cases.

• It's not fair to judge someone without knowing them.
• The judge made a decision in the case.
• I try not to judge people too quickly.

Judge in a sentence

Court

Definition: A place where legal cases are heard.

• The judge works in a court.
• He went to court for the trial.
• The court decides on important matters.

Court in a sentence

Law

Definition: A system of rules created by a government.

• Everyone must follow the law.
• She studied law at university.
• The law protects people's rights.

Law in a sentence

Case

Definition: A particular situation or example.

• In this case, we need to find a solution.
• The teacher explained the case of the missing book.
• He carried his glasses in a protective case.

Case in a sentence

Trial

Definition: A test of performance, quality, or suitability; a legal process.

• They will conduct a trial for the new product.
• The trial was held in the courtroom.
• She is participating in a trial for a medication.

Trial in a sentence

Lawyer

Definition: A professional who practices law and represents clients in legal matters.

• The lawyer prepared the case for court.
• She wants to become a lawyer to help others.
• Understanding the role of a lawyer is crucial in legal issues.

Lawyer in a sentence

Witness

Definition: A person who sees an event, often a crime, and can provide information.

• The witness testified at the trial.
• She was a witness to the accident and reported it.
• Witnesses play a crucial role in legal cases.

Witness in a sentence

Jury

Definition: A group of people chosen to listen to evidence in a court and make a decision.

• The jury will decide if the defendant is guilty or not.
• She was selected to serve on the jury this week.
• The jury listened carefully to all the testimonies.

Jury in a sentence

Crime

Definition: An act that breaks the law.

• The police are investigating a crime in the area.
• Stealing is a serious crime.
• He read a book about crime and its consequences.

Crime in a sentence

Evidence

Definition: the information that helps prove something

• The detective found evidence at the scene.
• She presented evidence to support her argument.
• The evidence showed that he was telling the truth.

Evidence in a sentence

Guilty

Definition: Feeling responsible for committing a wrongdoing or crime.

• He felt guilty for not telling the truth.
• She looked guilty after breaking the vase.
• The guilty student apologized for his actions.

Guilty in a sentence

Innocent

Definition: not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing

• She was found innocent of all charges.
• His innocent smile made her laugh.
• The innocent child played happily in the park.

Innocent in a sentence

Sentence

Definition: A set of words that expresses a complete thought.

• Can you write a sentence using this word?
• Every sentence needs a subject and a verb.
• I enjoy reading long sentences in books.

Sentence in a sentence

Appeal

Definition: to make a request for a decision to be reviewed

• The student decided to appeal the exam results.
• His speech had an emotional appeal that moved many.
• Understanding appeal helps in discussions about rights.

Appeal in a sentence

Decision

Definition: A choice made after thinking about something.

• She made a decision to study hard this year.
• It's important to think before making a decision.
• He had to make a difficult decision.

Decision in a sentence

Rights

Definition: Legal or moral entitlements that people have.

• Everyone has rights that should be respected.
• They protested to defend their rights.
• Human rights are important for all individuals.

Rights in a sentence

Rules

Definition: guidelines for behavior or actions

• The teacher explained the classroom rules.
• He broke the rules during the game.
• Following the rules helps everyone.

Hear

Definition: To perceive sound through the ears.

• Can you hear the music from the concert?
• I want to hear the birds singing in the morning.
• It's important to hear what your teacher says.

Hear in a sentence

Speak

Definition: To say words aloud; to talk.

• He can speak three languages.
• Please speak clearly so everyone can understand.
• I like to speak in front of my class.

Speak in a sentence

Listen

Definition: To pay attention to sound or someone speaking.

• Please listen carefully to the instructions.
• I like to listen to music while I study.
• It is important to listen to our friends when they talk.

Listen in a sentence

Verdict

Definition: A decision made by a jury or judge in a court case.

• The jury reached a verdict after hours of deliberation.
• The verdict was announced in the courtroom.
• He awaited the verdict with anxiety.

Verdict in a sentence

Accuse

Definition: To say that someone has done something wrong.

• The teacher decided to accuse the student of cheating.
• I would never accuse my friend without evidence.
• She did not want to accuse him of lying.

Accuse in a sentence

Defend

Definition: To protect or support someone or something from harm or attack.

• He will defend his project in front of the class.
• She had to defend her opinion during the debate.
• The lawyer will defend the accused in court.

Defend in a sentence

Bail

Definition: to release someone from custody or to remove water from a boat

• He had to bail out his friend from jail.
• They needed to bail the water out of the boat.
• She decided to bail after realizing it was too risky.

Bail in a sentence

Hearing

Definition: The ability to perceive sounds; also refers to a formal meeting to listen to evidence.

• Her hearing is very sharp, and she notices sounds easily.
• The judge scheduled a hearing for the case next week.
• He had difficulty hearing in noisy environments.

Hearing in a sentence

Ruling

Definition: an official decision made by a judge or authority

• The court issued a ruling on the case.
• Her ruling was based on the evidence presented.
• They were waiting for the ruling from the judge.

Ruling in a sentence

Defendant

Definition: A person accused of a crime in a court of law.

• The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
• The lawyer defended the defendant during the trial.
• He was nervous as the defendant in the case.

Defendant in a sentence

Prosecutor

Definition: A lawyer who represents the government in a criminal case.

• The prosecutor presented strong evidence against the defendant.
• She aspired to become a prosecutor to help victims.
• The prosecutor's job is to ensure justice is served.

Prosecutor in a sentence

Testimony

Definition: A formal statement or evidence, often given in court; personal account of an experience.

• Her testimony helped the jury understand the case.
• He gave a testimony about his experience.
• The testimony was important for the trial.

Testimony in a sentence

Legal

Definition: Relating to the law; permitted by law.

• It is legal to drive at age sixteen in our state.
• We should follow all legal rules in our community.
• He studied legal issues in school.

Legal in a sentence

Jurisdiction

Definition: The official power to make legal decisions and judgments; the area of authority.

• The court has jurisdiction over criminal cases.
• Understanding jurisdiction is important in law.
• They debated the jurisdiction of the local court.

Jurisdiction in a sentence

Plaintiff

Definition: A person who brings a case against another in a court of law.

• The plaintiff argued that the contract was broken.
• In the trial, the plaintiff presented evidence to support her claim.
• The plaintiff is seeking damages for the accident.

Plaintiff in a sentence

Litigation

Definition: The process of taking legal action; a lawsuit.

• Litigation can be expensive and time-consuming.
• They decided to avoid litigation and settle.
• She studied litigation in law school.

Litigation in a sentence

Subpoena

Definition: A legal document that orders someone to appear in court or produce evidence.

• She received a subpoena to testify as a witness.
• The lawyer issued a subpoena for the missing documents.
• He was nervous about the subpoena he received in the mail.

Subpoena in a sentence

Mediation

Definition: A process where a neutral third party helps resolve a dispute between two sides.

• Mediation can help settle conflicts without going to court.
• She acted as a mediator during the discussion.
• Understanding mediation techniques can help in negotiations.

Mediation in a sentence

Arbitration

Definition: A process where a neutral third party helps resolve disputes between two sides.

• Arbitration is often used to settle business disagreements.
• They agreed to arbitration to avoid going to court.
• Understanding arbitration can help in conflict resolution.

Arbitration in a sentence

Statute

Definition: A written law passed by a legislative body.

• The new statute aims to protect the environment.
• She learned about the statute during her civics class.
• Understanding statutes is important for knowing our rights.

Statute in a sentence

Precedent

Definition: An action or decision that serves as an example for future situations.

• The court's ruling set a legal precedent.
• They referred to a precedent in their argument.
• Understanding precedent is crucial in law and governance.

Precedent in a sentence

Liability

Definition: the state of being responsible for something, especially in law

• He accepted liability for the accident.
• The company has a liability to its employees.
• Understanding liability is important in business.

Liability in a sentence

Injunction

Definition: a legal order that requires someone to do or refrain from doing something

• The court issued an injunction against the company.
• An injunction can stop harmful activities.
• She filed for an injunction to protect her rights.

Injunction in a sentence

Damages

Definition: Money awarded to a person as compensation for loss or injury.

• The court awarded her damages for the accident.
• He filed a claim for damages to his property.
• Understanding damages is crucial in legal matters.

Damages in a sentence

Settlement

Definition: An official agreement or a community where people live.

• The peace settlement ended the conflict.
• They moved to a new settlement in the countryside.
• The settlement was established many years ago.

Settlement in a sentence

Prosecution

Definition: The legal party that brings a case against someone in a court.

• The prosecution presented strong evidence.
• The prosecution argued for a tough sentence.
• He worked for the prosecution in criminal cases.

Prosecution in a sentence

Acquittal

Definition: A legal judgment that someone is not guilty.

• The acquittal was a relief for his family.
• Her acquittal was announced in court today.
• The acquittal ended a long and stressful trial.

Acquittal in a sentence

Conviction

Definition: a firmly held belief or the act of being found guilty

• Her conviction in the cause inspired others.
• He had a strong conviction about the importance of honesty.
• The jury reached a conviction after the trial.

Conviction in a sentence

Adjudicate

Definition: to make a formal judgment or decision

• The committee will adjudicate the dispute.
• He was chosen to adjudicate the competition.
• They hope to adjudicate the case quickly.

Adjudicate in a sentence

Jurisprudence

Definition: The theory or philosophy of law and legal systems.

• Jurisprudence examines the principles behind laws.
• He studied jurisprudence to understand legal reasoning.
• Understanding jurisprudence is essential for aspiring lawyers.

Jurisprudence in a sentence

Litigate

Definition: To take a case to court; to engage in legal proceedings.

• They decided to litigate the contract dispute.
• He prefers to settle rather than litigate.
• Litigating can be a long and costly process.

Litigate in a sentence

Deposition

Definition: a formal statement made under oath; the act of removing someone from office

• The lawyer took her deposition on the events of that day.
• His deposition was crucial to the case.
• They scheduled a deposition for next week.

Deposition in a sentence

Affidavit

Definition: a written statement made under oath

• He signed an affidavit to confirm his identity.
• The lawyer submitted an affidavit to the court.
• An affidavit is often used as evidence in legal matters.

Affidavit in a sentence

Tort

Definition: A wrongful act leading to legal liability; a civil wrong.

• A tort can result in a lawsuit.
• She filed a tort claim for damages.
• Understanding tort law is important for legal studies.

Tort in a sentence

Due Process

Definition: The legal requirement that the state must respect all legal rights.

• Due process ensures fair treatment under the law.
• He learned about due process in civics class.
• Understanding due process is essential for justice.

Due Process in a sentence

Adversarial

Definition: Involving opposition or conflict.

• The adversarial nature of the debate made it intense.
• Adversarial relationships can create tension in teams.
• He preferred collaborative rather than adversarial approaches.

Adversarial in a sentence

Ex Parte

Definition: A legal term meaning one-sided or involving only one party.

• The judge made an ex parte decision without hearing from both sides.
• In ex parte hearings, only one party presents their case.
• Understanding ex parte rules is important in legal matters.

Restitution

Definition: The act of restoring something to its original condition.

• The court ordered restitution for the damages.
• She sought restitution for her lost property.
• Restitution can help victims recover losses.

Restitution in a sentence

Tortfeasor

Definition: A person or entity that commits a tort.

• The tortfeasor was held responsible for the damages.
• Understanding the role of a tortfeasor is important in law.
• In court, the tortfeasor must justify their actions.

Tortfeasor in a sentence

Sanctions

Definition: Official penalties or restrictions imposed on individuals or countries.

• Economic sanctions were placed on the country.
• Sanctions can affect international relations.
• The UN imposed sanctions to encourage compliance.

Jurisprudential

Definition: Relating to the theory or philosophy of law.

• The jurisprudential aspects of the case were debated.
• She took a jurisprudential approach to the legal issue.
• His jurisprudential perspective influenced the decision.

Jurisprudential in a sentence

Compliance

Definition: Following rules or standards.

• The company is in compliance with safety regulations.
• They ensured compliance with the new laws.
• She checked for compliance with the guidelines.

Compliance in a sentence

Remand

Definition: To send someone back into custody or detention.

• The judge decided to remand the suspect for further investigation.
• He was remanded until the trial date.
• They were placed on remand while awaiting their hearing.

Remand in a sentence

Adjudication

Definition: the process of making a formal judgment

• The adjudication of the case took several months.
• We learned about adjudication in law class.
• Adjudication helps resolve disputes fairly.

Adjudication in a sentence

Litigant

Definition: A person involved in a lawsuit, either as a plaintiff or defendant.

• The litigant presented their case in court.
• She was a litigant in a family dispute case.
• Each litigant has the right to legal representation.

Litigant in a sentence

Indemnity

Definition: Security or protection against a financial loss or damage.

• The policy offered indemnity against theft.
• They sought indemnity for damages caused by the storm.
• Indemnity clauses are common in contracts.

Indemnity in a sentence

Amicus Curiae

Definition: A legal term for someone who is not a party to a case but offers information.

• The amicus curiae provided valuable insights for the court.
• They submitted a brief as an amicus curiae.
• An amicus curiae can influence legal decisions.

Amicus Curiae in a sentence

Res Judicata

Definition: a legal doctrine preventing the same issue from being tried again

• The case was dismissed under res judicata.
• Understanding res judicata is important in law.
• Res judicata protects against double jeopardy.

Res Judicata in a sentence

Habeas Corpus

Definition: A legal principle that protects against unlawful detention.

• Habeas corpus ensures that a person cannot be held without trial.
• The lawyer filed a habeas corpus petition for his client.
• Understanding habeas corpus is important in law.

Habeas Corpus in a sentence

Equitable Relief

Definition: A court-ordered remedy that ensures fairness rather than monetary compensation.

• The judge granted equitable relief to the plaintiff.
• He sought equitable relief to address the unfair situation.
• Understanding equitable relief is important in legal matters.

Punitive Damages

Definition: Compensation awarded in a lawsuit to punish the defendant.

• The court awarded punitive damages to the victim.
• Punitive damages are meant to discourage wrongdoing.
• They sought punitive damages for the harm caused.

Punitive Damages in a sentence

Burden Of Proof

Definition: The obligation to prove one's assertion.

• In court, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.
• The lawyer explained the burden of proof to the jury.
• Understanding the burden of proof is essential in legal cases.

Burden Of Proof in a sentence

Voir Dire

Definition: A legal process of questioning potential jurors.

• During voir dire, lawyers ask jurors about their backgrounds.
• The judge conducted the voir dire before the trial.
• Voir dire helps ensure a fair jury selection.

Perjury

Definition: The act of lying under oath, especially in a court of law.

• He was charged with perjury for his false testimony.
• Understanding perjury is important in legal studies.
• She learned about the consequences of perjury in class.

Perjury in a sentence

Tortious

Definition: Relating to or involving a tort; wrongful act leading to civil legal liability.

• His actions were considered tortious and led to a lawsuit.
• Understanding tortious behavior helps in legal cases.
• A tortious act can result in compensation for damages.

Tortious in a sentence

Counterclaim

Definition: A claim made to offset another claim in a legal case.

• The lawyer filed a counterclaim against the plaintiff.
• His counterclaim argued that he was not at fault.
• Understanding counterclaims is important in legal studies.

Counterclaim in a sentence

Discovery

Definition: The act of finding or learning something new.

• The scientist made a great discovery.
• Her discovery changed the way we think about health.
• They celebrated the discovery of a new species.

Discovery in a sentence

Summary Judgment

Definition: a legal decision made by a court without a full trial

• The lawyer filed for summary judgment in the case.
• Understanding summary judgment is important in legal studies.
• They sought summary judgment to speed up the process.

Summary Judgment in a sentence

Legal Precedent

Definition: previous court decisions that influence future cases

• Legal precedent plays a crucial role in shaping the law.
• The lawyer referenced legal precedent to support his argument.
• Understanding legal precedent is important in law.