Law and Justice - Spanish Vocabulary
Learn Spanish vocabulary related to law and justice. Explore terms used in the legal system, courts, crimes, and more.
presunto asesino
alleged killer
The Spanish phrase 'presunto asesino' translates to 'alleged killer' in English. This term is used when a person is suspected or accused of a killing or a murder, but the accusation has not been proven in the court of law. It is vital to remember that until a person is proven guilty via legal proceedings, the term 'alleged' must be used to respect the principle of presumption of innocence.
Example sentences with presunto asesino →presunto terrorista
alleged terrorist
The Spanish term 'presunto terrorista' translates to 'alleged terrorist' in English. This term is often used in legal or official contexts, when a person is suspected of having committed acts of terrorism, but such allegations have not yet been proven in a court of law. Therefore, the use of the term 'presunto' is significant as it indicates that the person is presumed or supposed to be a terrorist, but not yet legally declared as such.
Example sentences with presunto terrorista →protección
protection
The Spanish word 'protección' translates to 'protection' in English. It is a noun and is used to denote the action of protecting someone or something, or the state of being protected. It can refer to a measure taken to prevent something from being damaged or interrupted or it can denote the act of keeping someone from harm or injury.
red de falsificación de documentos
forgery of documents
The term 'red de falsificación de documentos' in Spanish directly translates to 'forgery of documents' in English. This phrase refers to the unlawful act of altering or creating documents with the intention of deceiving or defrauding others. It can include various activities such as falsifying official papers, counterfeiting legal certificates, producing fake IDs, or even fabricating financial records. In many jurisdictions, this act is considered a serious crime and could lead to significant legal penalties.
Example sentences with red de falsificación de documentos →red de prostitución
prostitution ring
The Spanish term 'red de prostitución' translates to 'prostitution ring' in English. This refers to an organized operation, network, or scheme dedicated to the illegal act of selling sexual services. Such a ring typically involves multiple individuals working under a leader who may benefit the most financially from this illegal activity. As with all forms of human trafficking, prostitution rings are a severe violation of human rights and are strictly illegal in many regions and countries.
Example sentences with red de prostitución →red de tráfico de armas
arms trafficking network
The Spanish term 'red de tráfico de armas' translates to 'arms trafficking network' in English. This phrase is often used in legal, crime, and justice context and refers to an organized syndicate or system involved in the illicit trade of firearms. These networks can operate locally, nationally, or internationally, smuggling firearms illegally for use in crimes, terrorism, and conflicts.
Example sentences with red de tráfico de armas →reformar una ley
reform a law
The Spanish phrase 'reformar una ley' translates to 'reform a law' in English. This typically refers to the process of making changes or improvements to a law in order to correct injustices or to update the law to reflect contemporary circumstances or attitudes. The term is often used within governmental, political, and legal contexts.
Example sentences with reformar una ley →retrato robot
portrait robot
The Spanish term 'retrato robot' translates to 'portrait robot' in English. It's used to refer to a composite image created, typically digitally, to represent someone's face as described by a witness. This is often used by law enforcement authorities to help identify suspects in crimes. In a broader sense, 'retrato robot' can also refer to any generated representations or models of a person's face or figure.
robar
steal
The Spanish word 'robar' translates to 'steal' in English. This is an action verb that primarily implies the taking of another person's property without their consent and with the intention of permanently depriving them of it. It can also suggest taking something unlawfully or without the owner's permission.
robo
robbery
The Spanish word 'robo' translates to 'robbery' in English. This term refers to the act of stealing or unlawfully taking someone's possessions, often involving force or threat. It's a noun which, while most commonly associated with a crime in the physical world, can also refer to non-physical situations where a robbery of rights, opportunities, or chances takes place.
sancionar
sanction
The Spanish word 'sancionar' translates into 'sanction' in English. It primarily refers to a threatened penalty or measure imposed as a result of an action, behaviour, or policy considered by others to be inappropriate or unacceptable. This could include economic restrictions or limitations, disapproval or consequence levied by an organization or country, or a punishment decided by law or regulation. The term can be used in various contexts, including political, economic, educational, and sports environments, among others.
secuestrador
kidnapper
The Spanish word 'secuestrador' corresponds to the English word 'kidnapper'. It is used to describe a person who illegally captures and holds someone against their will, usually in order to demand a ransom for their release. In a broader sense, it can also refer to someone who seizes or takes control of something without the right to do so.
secuestrar a alguien
kidnapping someone
The Spanish phrase 'secuestrar a alguien' translates to 'kidnapping someone' in English. The words in this phrase are 'secuestrar', which means 'to kidnap', and 'a alguien', which means 'someone'. Therefore, the action of 'secuestrando a alguien' involves unlawfully capturing and detaining a person against their will, often with the intent to demand a ransom or use them for personal advantage or harm. Kidnapping is a serious criminal act in all societies, typically punishable by severe penalties under law.
Example sentences with secuestrar a alguien →secuestro
abduction
The Spanish word 'secuestro' translates to 'abduction' in English. This word primarily refers to the act of forcibly taking someone away against their will, often as part of a criminal act. It can be used in various contexts, often related to legal, crime, and law enforcement situations. For example, in a news report, one might hear about the 'secuestro' of a high-profile individual. It is important to note that the term carries a serious connotation, and is typically only used in serious or severe cases of abduction.
seguir una pista
follow a lead
The Spanish term 'seguir una pista' can be translated into English as 'follow a lead'. Usually, this phrase is used in investigative, detective, or searching contexts where someone is following clues, indications or information that may ultimately lead to a resolution, answer or conclusion. Synonymous phrases in English might include 'pursue a line of inquiry' or 'track a lead'.
separación de poderes
separation of powers
The term 'separación de poderes' in Spanish translates to 'separation of powers' in English. It is a doctrine of constitutional law which creates the division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to avoid any single entity from exercising the core functions of executive, legislative, and judiciary. This fundamental concept ensures a system of checks and balances within the government.
Example sentences with separación de poderes →ser (i)legal
be (il)legal
'Ser (i)legal' is a Spanish phrase that translates to 'be (il)legal' in English. It is a word often used in legal, formal and informal contexts. In Spanish, both 'ser legal' and 'ser ilegal' are terms that describe the legality, or lack thereof, of an action, person or thing. For example, 'ser legal' can refer to an action that is lawful or permissible under the law, while 'ser ilegal' refers to an action that is against the law or not permitted. Note that 'ser' is a Spanish verb that is used in association with permanent or lasting attributes, indicating a long-term or permanent state.
Example sentences with ser (i)legal →ser justo
be just
The Spanish phrase 'ser justo' translates to 'be just' in English. This phrase is used to express fairness or justice in actions or decisions. For instance, it can be utilized in a context where someone is being encouraged or expected to make a decision that is fair and balanced, or to behave in an ethically upright manner. Its usage is broad and can apply in diverse situations where fairness, justice, or equality must be underscored.
Example sentences with ser justo →sospechoso
suspect
The Spanish word 'sospechoso' translates to 'suspect' in English. The word can be used in various contexts, but is most commonly used in the context of suspicion in scenarios related to crime. Here, 'sospechoso' can refer to a person who is suspected of committing a crime. Similarly, in a broader, more abstract sense, it can refer to any element or situation that raises suspicion or doubt.
tener antecedentes (penales)
to have a (criminal) record
The phrase 'tener antecedentes (penales)' in Spanish translates to 'to have a (criminal) record' in English. This idiom is commonly used within legal and criminal justice contexts in Spanish-speaking countries. It refers to the record of past crimes an individual has committed, which legal entities and law enforcement agencies keep track of. It's important to note that 'tener' means 'to have', the word 'antecedentes' denotes 'record' and 'penales' refers to 'criminal'. The parentheses around 'penales' suggest that it can be optional, because 'antecedentes' in this context already implies a record of legal or criminal nature.
tener antecedentes policiales
to have a police record
The Spanish phrase 'tener antecedentes policiales' translates as 'to have a police record' in English. It refers to the documentation kept by law enforcement agencies which lists a person's history of criminal violations, if any. Having a police record can have several implications regarding employment, licensity, and rights in many societies.
terrorismo
terrorism
The Spanish word 'terrorismo' translates to 'terrorism' in English. Terrorism is an act of violence, often against civilians, with the intention to create fear. It is usually carried out in pursuit of political, ideological, or religious goals. The term 'terrorism' is used globally and universally condemned, as it often involves indiscriminate violence against innocent people.
Example sentences with terrorismo →terrorista
terrorist
The Spanish word 'terrorista' translates to 'terrorist' in English. A terrorist is a person who uses illegal violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
Example sentences with terrorista →testificar
testify
The Spanish word 'testificar' translates to 'testify' in English. This is a verb used in legal context meaning to give evidence as a witness in a law court. Alternatively, it can also mean to serve as evidence or proof of something's existence or nature. It is a regular verb, and follows the standard conjugation patterns of verbs ending in '-ar'. For example, 'Yo testifico' means 'I testify'.
Example sentences with testificar →testigo
witness
The Spanish word 'testigo' translates to 'witness' in English. This term is often used in legal contexts and refers to an individual who has personal knowledge about something or someone, especially a crime, and gives their account to a court or other official body. Additionally, 'testigo' may also denote a participant or observer in various events, experiences, or circumstances.
tribunal
Court
The Spanish word 'tribunal' translates to 'court' in English. It refers to an institution where disputes and legal issues are resolved. The term 'court' or 'tribunal' can imply a variety of judicial forums like a courtroom where the judge delivers judgments, an organization like Supreme Court, or it can even mean a place of royal residence in certain historical contexts. Similarly, it's widely used in a variety of contexts in Spanish as well.
Example sentences with tribunal →Tribunal Constitucional
Constitutional Court
Tribunal Constitucional is a Spanish term which translates to 'Constitutional Court' in English. A Constitutional Court is a high court that deals with matters related to the constitution of a country. It is where issues of constitutional legality are decided, such as testing the constitutionality of laws or government decisions. It plays a vital role in a nation's system of checks and balances, enforcing the fundamental laws of the land and ensuring that the government functions within its constitutional boundaries.
Example sentences with Tribunal Constitucional →Tribunal Supremo
Supreme Court
The 'Tribunal Supremo' in Spanish refers to the 'Supreme Court' in English. The Supreme Court is the highest court within the hierarchy of many legal jurisdictions, and it has the power to make ultimate judgements and decisions on legal matters. This term is commonly used in legal and governmental context.
Example sentences with Tribunal Supremo →vestir de uniforme
uniform dress
The phrase 'vestir de uniforme' in Spanish translates to 'uniform dress' in English. In most contexts, it refers to the act of wearing a particular uniform, often in settings such as schools or workplaces where uniforms are required. It can also be used more broadly to refer to the concept of wearing a common set of clothing to denote membership in a particular group or organization.
víctima
victim
The Spanish word 'víctima' translates to 'victim' in English. This is used in similar context as per English language, often referring to a person who has come to harm, especially due to a crime, accident, or other event or action. This term can also be used metaphorically to refer to a person who has been tricked or swindled.
Example sentences with víctima →