ESL Vocabulary – The Legal System: People in the Court (list, definitions, sample sentences, and review worksheet)

VOCAB REVIEW: People in the Court

 Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the list on the previous page.

The main __________ in the murder of 21-year-old Jenny Page appeared in court today. His name is Jason Black, and standing next to him was his __________ __________, who argued that Mr. Black was not guilty because he was at work when the __________ was killed. However, according to the __________, there are no __________ who can testify that they saw Mr. Black at work. Therefore, the prosecutor argues that Mr. Black is guilty and he is a dangerous __________ who should be sent to prison. The 12 people on the _______ have listened to the two lawyers’ arguments and considered the evidence, and they have heard the instructions from the __________. Now, they must go deliberate and decide if Jason Black is guilty or innocent.

Additional Vocabulary:

 court (n.) – the place where lawyers argue and judges or a jury make decisions

• • My lawyer told me to arrive at court at 9:00 tomorrow morning.

guilty (adj.) – responsible for doing something wrong

innocent (adj) – not responsible for doing something wrong

• • The jury must decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.

testify (v.) – when a witness provides information in a court

• • The witness testified that she saw the defendant at the victim’s house on the night of the murder.

prison (n.) – a place for criminals who are found guilty

• • After the jury found him guilty, the criminal went to prison for 5 years.

evidence (n.) – proof; information that shows the truth about what happened

• • The jury decided that the defendant was not guilty because there was not enough evidence.

deliberate (v.) – when a jury discusses the evidence and tries to reach a decision

• • The jury had to deliberate for three days before they were finally able to agree that the defendant was guilty.