Basic Legal Vocabulary

Question 1

illegal (adj.)

Answer 1

against the law, unlawful. [opp. legal]

Question 2

illegal (adj.) (e.g.)

Answer 2

Divorce was illegal in Ireland until very recently

Question 3

imprisonment (v.)

Answer 3

putting someone in prison or in jail as lawful punishment

Question 4

imprisonment (v.) (e.g.)

Answer 4

He was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for theft.

Question 5

indict (v.)

Answer 5

to accuse officially of a crime

Question 6

indict (v.) (e.g.)

Answer 6

(UK) He was indicted on drug charges at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
(US) Five people were indicted for making and selling counterfeit currency/ fake money

Question 7

indictable (adj.)

Answer 7

making it possible for someone to be accused officially of a crime

Question 8

indictable (adj.) (e.g.)

Answer 8

In England, the Crown Court deals with all indictable cases, which are serious offences triable before a judge and jury. e.g. Robbery is an indictable offence.

Question 9

indictment (n.)

Answer 9

The formal charge issued by a grand jury saying there is enough evidence that the defendant committed the crime to justify having a trial. Used primarily for felonies.

Question 10

indictment (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 10

The charges on the indictment include murder and attempted murder.

Question 11

infraction (n.)

Answer 11

a violation of a law which the only penalty is a fine

Question 12

infraction (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 12

Speeding is one of the most common traffic infractions. Experience shows that the police often use minor traffic infractions as an excuse for stopping and harassing racial minorities.

Question 13

infringe (v.)

Answer 13

(~ a right, often an intellectual property right) to do something that is against a law or someone’s legal rights, to violate

Question 14

infringe (v.) (e.g.)

Answer 14

Using someone else’s photograph without permission can infringe on their intellectual property rights.

Question 15

infringement (n.)

Answer 15

an action that breaks a rule, law, etc.

Question 16

infringement (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 16

The lawsuit was filed against the company for copyright infringement after they used the artist’s work without permission.

Question 17

innocent (adj.)

Answer 17

Found to be not guilty of criminal charges; acquitted. [opp. guilty] — compare liable

Question 18

innocent (adj.) (e.g.)

Answer 18

One jury found O.J. Simpson innocent of murdering his wife and a friend, and another jury found him liable for damages for the same act.

Question 19

intellectual property (n.)

Answer 19

The general term for intangible property rights which are a result of intellectual effort. Patents, trademarks, designs and copyright are the main intellectual property rights

Question 20

intellectual property (n.) (e.g.)

Answer 20

The company invested in protecting its intellectual property by filing patents for its innovative products.