Law and Justice - Spanish Vocabulary
Learn Spanish vocabulary related to law and justice. Explore terms used in the legal system, courts, crimes, and more.
derecho civil
civil law
Civil law, also known as 'derecho civil' in Spanish, is a legal tradition and system originating from Roman law and primarily used within Western cultures. It is a body of law that determines the private rights and liabilities of individuals. Often, it revolves around matters of contracts, property ownership, family relationships, and actions for personal injury. It is sometimes contrasted to criminal law in that it pertains primarily to private and not state or public matters.
Example sentences with derecho civil →derecho penal
criminal law
The Spanish term 'derecho penal' refers to 'criminal law' in English. It generally involves the body of both substantive and procedural rules that determine the penalties to be applied by the state to the individuals (adults or minors), who commit criminal offenses. In simple terms, it is the legal field associated with punishment of individuals who commit crimes. Thus, it reflects the social interest in the prevention of harmful behaviors that disrupt social peace.
Example sentences with derecho penal →derogar (una) ley
repeal (one) law
The Spanish phrase 'derogar (una) ley' translates to 'repeal (one) law' in English. It involves the action of officially ending a law, typically enacted by a legislative body or another authorized official. This term is often used in legal and governmental contexts where laws and regulations are constantly reviewed, enacted, and repealed as needed. Knowledge of this term can be useful in discussions related to lawmaking, civil rights, and other socio-political arenas.
Example sentences with derogar (una) ley →desactivar un (artefacto) explosivo
deactivate an explosive (artfact)
The term 'desactivar un (artefacto) explosivo' in Spanish translates to 'deactivate an explosive (artifact)' in English. It typically refers to the act of neutralizing or safely disabling an explosive device or artifact, which could be a bomb, dynamite, or any other object that can explode. This term is often used in contexts such as military, police, or emergency response scenarios where professionals are trained to safely handle and defuse explosive hazards.
desactivar una bomba
deactivate a bomb
The Spanish phrase 'desactivar una bomba' translates to 'deactivate a bomb' in English. It's a two-part verb phrase. The verb 'desactivar' means 'to deactivate, turn off' and is often used in technical or mechanical contexts. The phrase 'una bomba' means 'a bomb', where 'una' is the indefinite article 'a, one', and 'bomba' is a noun meaning 'bomb'. Combined, they denote the action of disabling or stopping a bomb from exploding.
detectar un (artefacto) explosivo
detect an explosive (artifact)
The Spanish phrase 'detectar un (artefacto) explosivo' translates to 'detect an explosive (artifact)' in English. This could typically be used in contexts such as security, law enforcement, or military operations. The phrase contains the verb 'detectar' which means 'to detect'; the indefinite article 'un' which means 'an'; the noun '(artefacto) explosivo' where 'artefacto' means 'artifact' and 'explosivo' means 'explosive'. Together, they refer to the detection of an explosive object or artifact.
detectar una bomba
detect a bomb
The Spanish phrase 'detectar una bomba' translates to 'detect a bomb' in English. This phrase is often used in the context of safety and security, particularly by police or military professionals. The verb 'detectar' mirrors the English 'detect', meaning to discover or identify the presence or existence of something. 'Una bomba', translated to 'a bomb', specifies what is being detected. This phrase signifies the action of discovering or identifying the presence of a bomb.
detención
detention
The Spanish word 'detención' translates to 'detention' in English. It is a noun used to describe the act of detaining someone or the state of being detained. This might be in the context of law, where a person is kept in custody, generally by the police, due to their suspected participation in a crime or illegal activity. Alternatively, in the schooling system, it signifies a disciplinary measure where a student is required to remain in school at a time when they would usually be allowed to leave, as a consequence of misbehaviour.
detener a un delincuente
stop a criminal
The Spanish phrase 'detener a un delincuente' translates to 'stop a criminal' in English. It is commonly used in law enforcement or in situations where someone is being asked to halt an unlawful activity. 'Detener' means 'to stop' and 'un delincuente' means 'a criminal'. Therefore, the full phrase conveys a feeling of either an imperative order or an ongoing action to stop a person who is committing a crime.
detener a un sospechoso
arrest a suspect
The Spanish phrase 'detener a un sospechoso' translates to 'arrest a suspect' in English. It is used in contexts relating to law enforcement or criminal investigation. 'Detener' means to stop or halt, 'a' signifies direction towards someone/something, 'un' is an indefinite article which means 'a', and 'sospechoso' is a noun that translates to 'suspect'. Together, they form a phrase used when law enforcement officials apprehend a person who is suspected of having committed a crime.
detener por un delito de agresión
arrest for an offence of aggression
The Spanish phrase 'detener por un delito de agresión' translates to 'arrest for an offence of aggression' in English. It describes the act of law enforcement apprehending an individual due to allegations of violent behavior or assault. In a sentence, it can be used to describe scenarios across a variety of legal and law enforcement situations where aggressive conduct has purportedly occurred.
Example sentences with detener por un delito de agresión →detener por un delito de malos tratos
arrest for an offence of ill-treatment
The Spanish phrase 'detener por un delito de malos tratos' translates to 'arrest for an offence of ill-treatment' in English. This phrase might be used in a legal or law enforcement setting, where an individual is being arrested for the act of ill-treatment. The ill-treatment could refer any form of abuse or wrongful treatment inflicted upon another individual. Getting familiar with such phrases could be beneficial in understanding news reports or legal documents in Spanish.
Example sentences with detener por un delito de malos tratos →detener por un delito de tráfico de drogas
arrest for a drug trafficking offence
The Spanish phrase 'detener por un delito de tráfico de drogas' translates to 'arrest for a drug trafficking offence' in English. In this phrase, 'detener' means 'to arrest', 'por un' means 'for a', 'delito' means 'offence', 'de tráfico de drogas' means 'of drug trafficking'. This phrase is generally used in legal or law enforcement contexts, particularly in reports or discussions pertaining to drug crime.
Example sentences with detener por un delito de tráfico de drogas →dispositivo de emergencia
emergency device
The Spanish term 'dispositivo de emergencia' translates to 'emergency device' in English. An emergency device refers to equipment or systems designed to help manage a crisis or prevent harmful situations. These devices may include alarm systems, safety equipment like fire extinguishers or life vests, or medical equipment for immediate response in life-threatening cases. The type of device can vary widely depending on the nature of the scenarios they are built to tackle, such as health emergencies, natural disasters, or fire emergencies.
dispositivo de entrada
input device
The term 'dispositivo de entrada' is Spanish for 'input device'. In computer terminology, an input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing it to interact with and control it. This includes devices such as a keyboard and mouse, which are used to enter commands; a scanner that converts a paper document to its digital version; or a webcam used for video communications. By recognizing the importance and function of an 'dispositivo de entrada', it can aid in understanding how computers and other digital devices operate.
dispositivo de salida
output device
The Spanish term 'dispositivo de salida' translates to 'output device' in English. An output device can be any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by an information processing system (such as a computer), which converts the electronically generated information into human-readable form.
dispositivo de seguridad
security device
The Spanish phrase 'dispositivo de seguridad' translates to 'security device' in English. The term refers to any device designed to guard, protect or ensure the safety of certain areas, property or informations against threats, theft, or property damage. Typically, some examples of security devices used in many areas of our daily lives are security cameras, alarms systems, biometric security devices, etc.
encontrar pruebas
Find evidence
The Spanish phrase 'encontrar pruebas' translates to 'find evidence' in English. It is often used in a context where one is required to discover or uncover supporting information or facts about an incident, situation or a case. This could be in a legal procedure, scientific research or day-to-day situations where proof is required.
encontrar una pista
find a clue
The Spanish term 'encontrar una pista' translates to 'find a clue' in English. It is a phrase often used in a context where one is searching or investigating something. 'Encontrar' means 'to find', 'una' is an indefinite article which translates to 'a', and 'pista' is a noun that translates to 'clue'. The phrase may be used in various situations such as solving a mystery, doing a research, or searching for answers.
entregarse
surrender
The word 'entregarse' in Spanish translates to 'surrender' in English. It is a verb that is commonly used to express the action of yielding one's own control or possession of something to another person or authority. It can also refer to the act of giving up or submitting oneself to an emotion or influence. This term has a wide range of use in various contexts such as in legal procedures, war or conflict situations, as well as in day-to-day life situations.
estallar un (artefacto) explosivo
explode an explosive (artfact)
The Spanish phrase 'estallar un (artefacto) explosivo' translates to 'explode an explosive (artifact)' in English. This term typically refers to the act of causing an item, specifically a device or mechanism designed to generate an explosion, to violently burst apart and release energy through rapid expansion of gas. It's commonly used in contexts related to military actions, science experiments, pyrotechnics, or criminal activities involving the use of explosives.
estallar una bomba
explode a bomb.
The Spanish term 'estallar una bomba' translates to 'explode a bomb' in English. It refers to the act of causing an explosive device referred to as a 'bomba' to detonate or 'estallar', creating a large-scale explosion. This is a phrase that is typically used in a literal sense to refer to the act of detonating explosives, although it can also be used figuratively to refer to situations that rapidly intensify or escalate.
estar acusado de un delito de agresión
accused of an offence of aggression
The Spanish phrase 'estar acusado de un delito de agresión' directly translates to 'accused of an offence of aggression' in English. This term is used in a legal context where a person is being blamed for a violent criminal act or behavior that intended to harm or violate another person's rights. Essentially, it refers to individuals who are formally charged with committing a violent offense.
Example sentences with estar acusado de un delito de agresión →estar acusado de un delito de malos tratos
accused of an offence of ill-treatment
The Spanish phrase 'estar acusado de un delito de malos tratos' translates to 'accused of an offence of ill-treatment' in English. It refers to the situation where someone is legally accused or charged with a crime that involves mistreatment or abuse of another being. This term is often used in legal contexts, such as in court accusations, criminal charges, or legal documents. It refers to serious allegations that require solid proof or evidence to support them.
Example sentences with estar acusado de un delito de malos tratos →estar acusado de un delito de tráfico de drogas
accused of a drug trafficking offence
The Spanish phrase 'estar acusado de un delito de tráfico de drogas' can be translated into English as 'being accused of a drug trafficking offense'. It is used when a person is alleged or formally charged with the crime of illegal drug trafficking. This phrase can be heard in law enforcement or legal contexts, often referring to a serious and punishable offense. The exact nature of the crime can vary, but generally, it involves the possession, sale, purchase, delivery, or manufacturing of controlled substances.
Example sentences with estar acusado de un delito de tráfico de drogas →estar bajo juramento
under oath
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo juramento' translates to 'under oath' in English. This is often used in a courtroom setting or in any legal proceeding where a person swears to tell the truth. It can also be metaphorically used to refer to a serious and official commitment to tell the truth or fulfill an obligation in situations outside of legal settings.
Example sentences with estar bajo juramento →estar bajo protección
being protected
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo protección' translates to 'being protected' in English. This phrase essentially conveys the state of having some form of guard or safeguard against potential harm or damage. It can be used in various contexts to indicate physical protection, legal protection, or any other type of shield that prevents harm. The phrase can be applied to situations, objects, and mostly people. For instance, in cases where there's a provision of security for someone, 'estar bajo protección' is suitable to describe such a situation.
estar bajo sospecha
being on suspicion
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo sospecha' translates to 'being under suspicion' in English. This is used in situations where someone is suspected of possibly doing something wrong or illegal. Similar to its English counterpart, 'estar bajo sospecha' is often used in legal or crime-related contexts. It reflects a state of uncertainty about a person's actions or behavior and implies that further investigation is needed to confirm or reject the suspicions.
estar bajo vigilancia
under surveillance
The Spanish phrase 'estar bajo vigilancia' is an action phrase that can be translated to English as 'being under surveillance'. This term usually refers to a situation where one's activities or behaviors are being monitored or observed, often for security or investigation purposes. It is often used in legal, investigative, and security contexts.
estar en libertad bajo fianza
on bail
'Estar en libertad bajo fianza' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'on bail' in English. It's a legal term used to describe the conditional release of a defendant with the promise that they will return for court dates. This phrase is often utilized in legal situations where an individual has been arrested and a certain amount of money is paid to secure their temporary release from police custody. The phrase contains three main words: 'estar' which means 'to be', 'libertad' which means 'freedom' and 'fianza' which refers to 'bail' or a security deposit.
Example sentences with estar en libertad bajo fianza →