defendant noun A person or organization accused of a crime or sued in a court of law. The defendant pleaded not guilty and requested a trial by jury. + plaintiff noun A person who brings a legal case against another person in a court of law. The plaintiff argued that the company had failed to honor the contract. + verdict noun The formal decision made by a jury or judge on a disputed question in a trial. The jury deliberated for six hours before delivering a guilty verdict. + testimony noun A formal statement, especially one given under oath in a court of law, that serves as evidence. The witness gave testimony describing exactly what she saw on the night of the robbery. + evidence noun Information or observations that help show whether a claim is true. The footprints provided evidence that an animal had crossed the garden. + witness noun A person who sees an event happen, or who gives evidence about what they saw, especially in a court of law. The witness described the car speeding through the red light moments before the crash. + jury noun A group of citizens sworn to hear evidence and reach a verdict in a legal case. The jury deliberated for two days before reaching a unanimous verdict. + judge noun A public official with the authority to hear and decide cases in a court of law. The judge listened carefully before delivering her decision on the case. + prosecutor noun A lawyer who represents the government in bringing criminal charges against a defendant in court. The prosecutor presented strong evidence linking the suspect to the crime. + attorney noun A person who is legally qualified and authorized to act on behalf of others, especially in legal matters. The attorney reviewed the contract carefully before advising her client to sign it. + litigation noun The process of taking legal action or settling a dispute through the court system. The two companies avoided litigation by reaching a settlement out of court. + statute noun A written law formally enacted by a legislative body. The new statute requires all restaurants to display calorie counts. + precedent noun An earlier event, decision, or case that is used as an example or guide for later similar situations. The court's ruling set a precedent that influenced dozens of later cases. + appeal verb To make a serious or urgent request, especially for help, or to formally ask for a decision to be reviewed. The charity appealed to the public for donations after the earthquake. + indictment noun A formal written accusation charging a person with a serious crime. The court unsealed the indictment, revealing twelve separate counts of embezzlement. + felony noun A serious crime, typically one punishable by a lengthy prison sentence or death, as opposed to a lesser offense. The prosecutor charged him with felony assault after the fight left the victim hospitalized. + misdemeanor noun A criminal offense that is less serious than a felony, usually punishable by a fine or a short jail sentence. Shoplifting a small item was charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony. + custody noun The legal right or responsibility to care for and make decisions about a child. The parents shared custody of their two children after the divorce. + warrant noun A legal document issued by a judge or official that authorizes an action, such as an arrest or search. Local police obtained a signed warrant before searching the suspect's downtown apartment. + subpoena noun A legal document ordering a person to appear in court or produce evidence. The witness received a subpoena requiring her to testify next Monday. + arraignment noun A court hearing at which a defendant is formally read the charges and enters a plea. At the arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all three charges. + bail noun A sum of money paid to a court to temporarily release an accused person until their trial. His family paid the bail so he could return home while awaiting his court date. + sentence noun A set of words that expresses a complete thought and typically contains a subject and a verb. Her essay opened with a short sentence that immediately grabbed the reader's attention. + acquittal noun A formal legal judgment that a defendant is not guilty of the crime charged. The lawyer celebrated the acquittal after months of preparing the defense. + jurisdiction noun The official power or authority to make legal decisions and judgments, or the territory in which that authority applies. The case fell outside the court's jurisdiction, so it was transferred elsewhere. + plea noun An urgent and heartfelt request, or a formal statement made by a defendant in court. She made a tearful plea for donations to help rebuild the flooded school. + contract noun A written or spoken agreement, especially one that is legally enforceable. Both companies signed the contract after months of careful negotiation. + liability noun Legal or financial responsibility for something, especially a debt or for damage that has been caused. The company accepted liability for the damage caused by its faulty product. + tort noun A wrongful act, other than a breach of contract, that causes harm and can lead to a civil lawsuit. Slipping on a wet floor with no warning sign can be the basis of a tort claim. + constitution noun The fundamental laws and principles that govern a country or organization, or a person's physical or mental makeup. The nation's constitution guarantees freedom of speech and assembly to all citizens. +