Law and Crime
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Vocabulary for IELTS: Law and Crime
"Law and Crime" is a frequently discussed topic in the IELTS Speaking and Writing tests. Whether you're describing legal systems, expressing your view on crime prevention, or discussing law enforcement, having the right vocabulary is essential. The following collection of vocabulary items has been carefully curated for IELTS candidates, maintaining a proper balance between everyday language and more advanced academic terms.
1. Crime rate: [Meaning: The number of crimes committed per unit of population]
Example 1: Urban areas tend to have a significantly higher crime rate than rural ones.
Example 2: The government introduced stricter policies to reduce the crime rate in major cities.
2. Law enforcement: [Meaning: Agencies and officers responsible for upholding the law]
Example 1: Law enforcement officials have increased patrols in the area to ensure safety.
Example 2: Effective law enforcement plays a crucial role in maintaining public order.
3. Illegal activity: [Meaning: Actions forbidden by law]
Example 1: Smuggling and drug trafficking are considered serious illegal activities.
Example 2: The police are cracking down on all forms of illegal activity.
4. Arrest warrant: [Meaning: A legal document authorising someone's arrest]
Example 1: The judge issued an arrest warrant for the suspect after reviewing the evidence.
Example 2: Without an arrest warrant, the officers had no right to detain the individual.
5. Trial: [Meaning: A legal process in a court to decide if someone is guilty or innocent]
Example 1: The defendant’s trial is scheduled to begin next week.
Example 2: After a lengthy trial, the jury delivered a unanimous verdict.
6. Sentence: [Meaning: Punishment given to someone found guilty by a court]
Example 1: He received a ten-year prison sentence for armed robbery.
Example 2: The judge imposed a lenient sentence due to the accused’s young age.
7. Appeal: [Meaning: A request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision]
Example 1: The defendant plans to appeal the verdict, claiming new evidence has emerged.
Example 2: Filing an appeal is often a lengthy and costly process.
8. Deterrent: [Meaning: A measure that discourages people from committing crimes]
Example 1: Capital punishment is seen by some as a strong deterrent to violent crimes.
Example 2: Increasing police visibility can serve as an effective deterrent.
9. Probation: [Meaning: A period of supervised freedom for offenders instead of prison]
Example 1: First-time offenders are often released on probation.
Example 2: If she violates the terms of her probation, she could face jail time.
10. Legislative framework: [Meaning: A system of laws that guides legal processes]
Example 1: A robust legislative framework is essential for fair governance.
Example 2: The new policy was introduced within an existing legislative framework on civil liberties.
11. Due process: [Meaning: Fair treatment through the judicial system]
Example 1: Every citizen is entitled to due process under the law.
Example 2: Ignoring due process undermines the rule of law.
12. Forensic evidence: [Meaning: Scientific proof used in solving crimes]
Example 1: DNA tests provided crucial forensic evidence in the murder case.
Example 2: Without forensic evidence, the case would have remained unsolved.
13. Rehabilitation programme: [Meaning: A course designed to reintegrate criminals into society]
Example 1: The prison offers a comprehensive rehabilitation programme for inmates.
Example 2: Effective rehabilitation programmes can significantly lower recidivism.
14. Recidivism: [Meaning: The tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend]
Example 1: Educational support in prison has been shown to reduce recidivism.
Example 2: The state implemented new policies to combat rising recidivism rates.
15. Judicial impartiality: [Meaning: Fair and unbiased conduct by judges and courts]
Example 1: Judicial impartiality is the cornerstone of a trustworthy legal system.
Example 2: Concerns were raised about the lack of judicial impartiality in politically sensitive cases.
16. Criminal jurisprudence: [Meaning: The philosophy and science of criminal law]
Example 1: The professor specialised in criminal jurisprudence at Oxford University.
Example 2: Criminal jurisprudence provides a framework for understanding the evolution of legal doctrines.
17. Retributive justice: [Meaning: A theory of justice that focuses on punishment for wrongdoing]
Example 1: Retributive justice seeks to impose penalties proportionate to the crime.
Example 2: Critics argue that retributive justice neglects opportunities for reform.
18. Presumption of innocence: [Meaning: The principle that one is considered innocent until proven guilty]
Example 1: The court upheld the presumption of innocence throughout the trial.
Example 2: A fair trial hinges on the presumption of innocence.
19. White-collar crime: [Meaning: Non-violent crime committed by professionals, often involving money]
Example 1: White-collar crime such as embezzlement is on the rise in corporate sectors.
Example 2: The executive was convicted of white-collar crimes involving financial fraud.
20. Burden of proof: [Meaning: The obligation to prove one's assertion in a legal case]
Example 1: In criminal cases, the burden of proof lies with the prosecution.
Example 2: The burden of proof ensures that accusations are not made without evidence.
21. Habeas corpus: [Meaning: A legal order requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge]
Example 1: The defence filed a habeas corpus petition to challenge the unlawful detention.
Example 2: Habeas corpus serves as a fundamental safeguard of individual liberty.
22. Indictment: [Meaning: A formal accusation that someone has committed a crime]
Example 1: He was served with an indictment for multiple counts of fraud.
Example 2: The indictment marks the official start of a criminal prosecution.
23. Plea bargain: [Meaning: An agreement where the accused pleads guilty to a lesser charge to avoid trial]
Example 1: The defendant accepted a plea bargain to reduce his sentence.
Example 2: Critics argue that plea bargains may compromise justice for victims.
24. Judicial activism: [Meaning: When judges are perceived to create law through their rulings]
Example 1: Some argue that judicial activism is necessary to protect civil rights.
Example 2: The ruling was seen as an example of excessive judicial activism.
25. Penal reform: [Meaning: Changes made to improve a country’s penal or prison system]
Example 1: The new legislation aims at long-term penal reform through rehabilitation initiatives.
Example 2: Advocates for penal reform focus on humane treatment and reintegration of prisoners.
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