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The most common crime and punishment vocabulary with audios for pronunciation. This word list covers crimes, criminals, punishment, court proceedings and other useful words to write and talk about the topic of crime. Practice the words with the vocabulary exercise at the bottom of the page.

These crimes are divided into crimes which are considered serious and those that are not.

Major Crimes

The list of crimes below are all nouns.

abduction = taking someone against their will (kidnapping)

arson = setting fire to a property

assault = a physical attack

burglary = illegal entry to a building with an intent to commit a crime

child abuse = maltreatment of a child

drug trafficking = importing illegal drugs

false imprisonment = imprisoning a person against their will and without legal authority

fraud = deception for personal or financial gain

hacking = unauthorised access to data in a computer system

hijacking = illegally getting control of an aircraft or vehicle

human trafficking = illegally transporting people, usually for slave labour or commercial sexual exploitation

murder (homicide USA)

premeditated murder = murder that is intentional (planned before hand)

unpremeditated murder - murder that is not intentional (not planned)

manslaughter - unintentional murder (synonym for unpremeditated murder)

attempted murder = planning to kill another person

patricide = killing one's own father

genocide = systematic killing of a race or religious group

euthanasia = killing someone for their benefit

organised crime = crime by an organised gang or organisation

smuggling = illegal import or export

terrorism = unlawful violence or threat with political aims

white collar crime = financially motivated non-violent crime by a worker

https://ieltsliz.com/wp-content/uploads/2090/07/120906_001.mp3
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Minor Crimes / Offences

pick pocketing = taking from another person's pockets

shoplifting = taking products from a shop without paying for them

traffic offences =breaking the rules of the road and driving

drunk driving = driving whilst under the influence of alcohol

jay walking = crossing the road at an undesignated spot

running a red light = going through traffic lights when they are red

speeding = driving over the speed limit

vandalism = deliberate destruction or damage to a building

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This list shows the person relating to the crime (the perpetrator of the crime).

crime = criminal

murder = murderer

theft = thief

trafficking = trafficker

hijacking = hijacker

terrorism = terrorist

smuggling = smuggler

shoplifting = shoplifter

vandalism = vandal

teenage criminal/ juvenile delinquent

https://ieltsliz.com/wp-content/uploads/2090/07/Criminals-Vocabulary.mp3
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the death penalty (capital punishment) = punishment of death

a prison sentence (imprisonment) = imprisonment

a suspended sentence = delaying of a sentence

forfeiture = property is taken away (confiscated)

hospital order = to confine someone to hospital under arrest

a fine = to pay money as a punishment for an offence

house arrest = imprisoned in one's own house rather than in prison

to suspend a license = withholding a person's right to use their driving license for a period of time

to revoke a license = to take away someone's driving license

non-custodial sentence = a sentence which is not done in prison
community service = punishment by doing community work

https://ieltsliz.com/wp-content/uploads/2090/07/Punishment-Vocab.mp3
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Other Types of Punishment

This refers to punishment commonly used by schools and parents.

detention = to stay in school after hours for punishment

to give lines = punishment where a child must write the same sentence again and again

isolation = to be kept apart from others as a punishment

grounding = to be unable to go outside home as a punishment

scolding = an angry reprimand

corporal punishment = physical punishment from a teacher or headteacher at school

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judge = the person who controls the court proceedings

jury = a group of independent people who decide whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty

justice = fairness or court law

trial = legal proceedings to judge whether someone is guilty of a crime

court = the place where the trial is held

defendant = the accused person: the individual or group being accused in court of a crime

prosecutor = the lawyer against the accused person

defense = the lawyer protecting the accused person

witness = a person who sees an event happen

evidence = facts or information supporting the truth

proof = evidence supporting a claim

hearsay = rumour / unsubstantiated information

guilty = not innocent as judged by a court of law

innocent = found not guilty of a crime

to be found guilty = the court decided that the person did commit the crime

conviction / verdict = formal sentence of a court

circumstances of the crime = a condition or situation relating to a crime

extenuating circumstances = a condition that makes the crime or mistake less serious and more understandable

take into consideration = should be thought about carefully

circumstantial evidence = something that connects a person indirectly to the crime (for example, a finger print at a crime scene but no actual hard evidence or witness)

maximum / minimum sentence = highest penalty / lowest penalty

a harsh punishment = hard, strict penalty

penalty / punishment are synonyms but penalty is often used for both minor offences and major crimes.

https://ieltsliz.com/wp-content/uploads/2090/07/Legal-Court-Language.mp3
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Other Useful Crime & Punishment Vocabulary

crime is prevalent = there is a lot of crime

armed police = police who carry guns

to deter (n = deterrent) = to put someone off from doing something

discrimination = unjust treatment

to be soft on crime = not to have harsh or strict punishments

repeat offender = a person who has committed a crime or offence more than once

serial criminals = criminals who repeatedly commit the same crime

diminished responsibility = when someone is not in a state to be considered responsible for their own actions

rehabilitation = to restore someone through education or therapy

reintegrate back into society = help someone return into society

peer pressure = pressure from friends or colleagues

role models = people whose behaviour should be copied and respected

mimicking violent behaviour = to copy aggressive actions

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Complete the sentences using one or more words either from the above lists or from other vocabulary relating to this topic. The sentence must be grammatically correct once you have added the right word(s).

1. The ................... is the strongest deterrent against crime.

2. The number of .................... is on the rise due to the impact of peer pressure at school and violent movies shown on TV. Teenagers are prone to ................ aggressive behaviour.

3. All people accused of a crime should be given a fair ................ in a ............ of law.

4. People who are convicted a murder from only ............................ evidence should not receive the death penalty.

5. The motives of a crime should always be taken into consideration. For example. there is a significant difference in the character of a person who commits .................. murder and one who commits accidental murder.

6. A .............. sentence is more humane than capital punishment.

7. Punishment should be the last resort. Instead criminals should be .........................

8. People who commit ........... crimes, such as traffic offences, should have their .................... revoked.

9. Famous people, such as movie stars, should set a good ............ and ensure that they are good ................. for young people to follow.

10. ............... and the right to a fair ................ should be the right of all citizens.

11. Parents who inflict .................. punishment on their children are showing children that ................. is an acceptable way to deal with problems.

12. Prison does not rehabilitate criminals, it only ............. them from society. ................. service and rehabilitation is a better way to avoid criminals becoming ......................

Answers

1. death penalty (the answer can't be "capital punishment" because it doesn't use the article "the")

2. juvenile delinquents / mimic

3. trial / court

4. circumstantial

5. premeditated

6. life

7. rehabilitated

8. minor / licenses

9. example / role models

10. Justice / trial

11. corporal / violence

12. removes / Community / repeat offenders

Recommended
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Crime and Punishment Vocabulary with Pronunciation

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The most common crime and punishment vocabulary with audios for pronunciation. This word list covers crimes, criminals, punishment, court proceedings and other useful words to write and talk about the topic of crime. Practice the words with the vocabulary exercise at the bottom of the page.

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Warm-up Task:
Brainstorm a list of different crimes.

ESL Conversation Questions:

1. Is crime a serious problem where you live? What kinds of crimes happen often?

2. Do the police do a good job in your country?

3. How do you feel when you see a police officer?

4. Are some people naturally bad or does their upbringing and environment lead them to commit crimes? How much should we blame society and how much should we blame the person?

5. How do stores try to stop shoplifting?

6. At what age are we fully responsible for our actions? What is the youngest age that a criminal should be punished as an adult?

7. How do you feel about drunk driving? What is the proper punishmentfor someone who drinks alcohol and drives?

8. Have you ever seen a crime being committed? What did you see?

9. If a person acts in self-defense and accidentally hurts someone, should they be punished?

10. Is carrying a gun a good way to stay safe? Why or why not?

11. What does 'crime doesn't pay' mean? Do you agree?

12. Does your country have the death penalty? What do you think about this kind of punishment?

13. Has someone ever stolen from you? What did they take? How did you feel?

14. How can we reduce crime? With harsher punishments or better education?

15. Is the goal of prison to punish or to rehabilitate? Can people change?

16. Is there any illegal behavior in your country that you think should be legal?

17. Is there legal behavior in your country that you think should be made illegal?

18. Do rich people get away with crimes? Is the system unfair?

19. Do you enjoy television shows about crime and the police? Which ones are good?

20. Is the overall crime rate increasing or decreasing where you live? Do you think the world will be safer or more dangerous in the future?

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Crime Conversation Questions - PRINT DISCUSS

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Warm-up Task: Brainstorm a list of different crimes. Is crime a serious problem where you live? What kinds of crimes happen often? Do the police do a good job in your country? How do you feel when you see a police officer? Are some people naturally bad or does their upbringing and environment lead them to commit crimes?

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ESL Discussions: Free worksheet and online activity on Crime.

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esl efl esol tesl tefl tesol elt english as a second language english as a foreign language

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A list of questions you can use to generate conversations in the ESL/EFL classroom.

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esl efl esol tesl tefl tesol elt english as a second language english as a foreign language

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A list of questions you can use to generate conversations in the ESL/EFL classroom.

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Find the latest coverage of world news, U.S. news, politics, entertainment news and more. Newzit is a news search engine aggregating news from a variety of credible and trusted media sources from around the world.

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Learning Crime Vocabulary: Essential English Legal Words for Students. EltBuzz.com

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Learning Crime Vocabulary: Essential English Legal Words for Students.

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Mexico has changed one of its most notorious prisons into a vacation area. The former prison islands in the Pacific Ocean got a makeover to attract tourists.

The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, opened the Islas Marias Tourist Center last Friday evening. The country hopes that the islands will become an environmental attraction and a place for people who love history.

The president said, "This is tourism for excursions, to explore, to live with nature." He believes that the location is " extraordinary."

Villas for guests to stay in, a restaurant and a cafe have been built. The island renovations also include an arch named after Nelson Mandela. Mandela was in prison for 18 years in South Africa, but then became president of the country.

The Mexican government says that Nelson Mandela is an important person in history. He showed that it's possible to make change, even in prison.

Islas Marias, the former prison islands, are about 100 km from the coast of Mexico. A prison was built on the islands in 1905 and closed down by the current president in 2019.

The government has announced tourist packages to the islands. Ferries will take people to the main island starting this week.

Tourism in Mexico has increased a lot since the end of the coronavirus pandemic. International tourism increased by around 50% in 2022, compared to last year.

Vocabulary

Notorious - famous or well-known for a bad reason or quality

Prison - a place where people are kept as punishment for a crime they did; a building filled with criminals

Former - previous; past; ex-; before; in the past

Makeover - a new or improved appearance/look after making changes; remodel; transformation

Attract - to cause something to come toward something else; to pull or draw someone or something towards them

Environmental - related to the natural world, the place we live, the area around us, nature

Attraction - something that people can go to for interest or enjoyment; activity; feature

Excursion - a short journey or trip, usually for pleasure

Location - an area; a place; a fixed place or position in space; where something is

Extraordinary - very unusual or surprising; not ordinary; great

Villa - a luxurious house, usually in the countryside or by the sea, used as a holiday home

Renovation - to upgrade; to make better; to make modern; rebuild

Arch - a curved part of a structure that is over an opening; a structure consisting of a curved top on two supports (there are many famous arches in Europe)

Named after - to give something/someone the same name as a different thing

Show - to prove something or make the truth or existence of something known; confirm; demonstrate; validate

Coast - the land along the edge of the sea or an ocean; where land meets water

Announce - share information openly; to tell the public; to make a statement; to report

Ferry - a boat that carries passengers and vehicles

Pandemic - when a disease or sickness goes all over the country or world

Quiz

Discussion Questions

What was the original purpose of the Islas Marias and how has it been transformed into a vacation area?

What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of changing former prisons to tourist destinations?

What impact did the coronavirus pandemic have on tourism and when/how will it change?

Original Story

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Mexico has changed one of its most notorious prisons into a vacation area. The former prison islands in the Pacific Ocean got a makeover to attract tourists. The president of Mexico, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, opened the Islas Marias Tourist Center last Friday evening. The country hopes that the islands will become an environmental attraction [...]

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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1) She was charged with giving false ___ in court. a) alibi b) innocent c) evidence 2) A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven _____. a) dead b) guilty c) innocent 3) Fresh evidence has recently come to light which suggests that he didn't in fact ___ the murder. a) commit b) make c) did 4) He has a cast-iron ___ - he was in the hospital the week of the murder. a) witness b) murder c) alibi 5) He was shot ___ outside his home. a) died b) dead c) death 6) The prime ____ in the case committed suicide. a) suspect b) victim c) alibi 7) Ten _____ are expected to testify at the trial today. a) innocent b) motives c) witnesses 8) Two sisters have been charged with _____ a) innocence b) murder c) motive 9) He firmly believes that she is ____of the crime. a) innocent b) evidence c) motive 10) Why would she have killed him? She has no ______. a) dead b) murder c) motive

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1) She was charged with giving false ___ in court. 2) A person accused of a crime is presumed innocent until proven _____.

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Multiple-choice quiz that tests EnglishClub's page on Computer Vocabulary. For ESL learners and teachers.