(list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)
VOCAB LIST: The Verdict
verdict (n.) – the decision in a trial (usually “guilty” or “not guilty”
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- Everyone is curious to hear what the jury’s verdict will be in this case.
convicted – “found guilty”; when a judge or jury decides someone is guilty
acquitted – “found not guilty”; when a judge or jury decides someone is not guilty
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- After he was convicted of murder, the criminal went to jail.
- When the jury acquitted him, John began crying tears of joy.
felony (n.) – a very serious crime
misdemeanor (n.) – a crime that is not as serious as a felony
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- If you steal more than $1,000, it is considered a felony and you can be sent to jail. However, if the amount stolen is less than $1,000, it is a misdemeanor and you will probably just have to pay a fine.
plea (n.) – the defendant’s statement of whether he/she is guilty or innocent
plead (v.) – to officially state whether you are guilty or innocent
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- “What’s your plea?” asked the judge. The defendant replied, “Not guilty, your honor.”
- If you plead guilty, sometimes the prosecutor will agree to a reduced sentence. This is called a “plea bargain”.
sentence (n., v.) – the punishment; to punish a person who has been convicted
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- After he was convicted, the man was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He was very upset because he didn’t expect such a long sentence.
fine (n.) – money paid to a victim as punishment
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- The judge ordered the thief to pay a $200 fine.
compensate (v.) – to pay money to someone because you have done something wrong
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- Because I accidentally hit Rita’s car, the judge ordered me to compensate her for the full amount of repairs.
probation (n.) – instead of going to jail, a person may go on “probation” and meet with a “probation officer regularly for a certain period of time
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- The thief was lucky to avoid jail; the judge sentenced him to five years’ probation instead.
parole (n., v.) – an agreement that lets a criminal leave prison early – the criminal must meet with a “parole officer” regularly and stay out of trouble
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- It can often be hard for people on parole to get a job, because many employers are unwilling to trust them.
- Prosecutors are arguing that the convicted murderer is still dangerous and should not be granted parole.
death penalty (n.) – a sentence of “death” for a serious crime (such as murder)
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- Many people are opposed to the death penalty because they argue that it is too cruel.
VOCAB REVIEW: Legal Proceedings
Fill in the blanks with the words below:
verdict / convicted / felony / sentence
compensate / acquitted / misdemeanor / fine
plead / probation / death penalty / parole
1. Rich people often hire expensive lawyers, so they are more likely to be _____________ of crimes. On the other hand, for poor people who cannot afford expensive lawyers, they are more likely to be ____________.
2. The defendant was convicted of murder yesterday. He has to return to court in one month to find out what how long his prison __________ will be.
3. The prosecutors told the defendant that if he __________ guilty, they will not seek the death penalty.
4. When I was 17, I got caught stealing a car. Because I was a juvenile, the judge sentenced me to __________ instead of prison. However, I also had to ___________ the victim, which was difficult because I didn’t have much money.
5. In many states, if you are convicted of a ____________, you are not allowed to vote in elections.
6. Because his crime was only a _____________, Jason only had to pay a $200 __________.
7. The jury was unable to reach a ____________, so the judge told them to deliberate for one more day and try their best to reach a decision.
8. Prosecutors usually only seek the _______________ for people who are accused of very violent murders.
9. After serving seven years in prison, the woman is hoping to get out on __________ so she can see her family again and return to a normal life.
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