Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

© Cambridge University Press 2008

commit verb (-tt-) CRIME

1. [T] to do something illegal or something that is considered wrongHe was sent to prison for a crime that he didn't commit.to commit adultery/murderto commit an offence

comˌmunity ˈservice noun [U ]

work that people do to help other people without payment, and which young criminals whose crimewas not serious enough for them to be put in prison are sometimes ordered to do

convict verb [T usually passive ]to decide officially in a court of law that someone is guilty of a crimeHe has twice been convicted of robbery/arson.

convict noun [C ]someone who is in prison because they are guilty of a crime

an escaped convict

criminal noun [C ]someone who commits a crimea dangerous/violent criminal

deter verb [T ] (-rr-)to prevent from doing something or to make someone less enthusiastic about doing something by

making it difficult for them to do it or by threatening bad results if they do itThese measures are designed to deter an enemy attack.High prices are deterring many young people from buying houses.

fine noun [C ]an amount of money that has to be paid as a punishment for not obeying a rule or lawThe maximum penalty for the offence is a $1000 fine.If found guilty, he faces six months in jail and a heavy (= severe) fine.

guilt noun [U ] FEELING

1. a feeling of worry or unhappiness that you have because you have done something wrong, suchas causing harm to another personHe suffered such feelings of guilt over leaving his children.She remembered with a pang of guilt that she hadn't called her mother.

guilt noun [U ] RESPONSIBILITY

2. the fact of having done something wrong or committed a crimeBoth suspects admitted their guilt to the police.The prosecution's task in a case is to establish a person's guilt beyond any reasonable doubt.

imprisonment noun [C or U]She was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

© Cambridge University Press 2008

jury noun [C + sing/pl verb ]1. a group of people who have been chosen to listen to all the facts in a trial in a law court and to

decide whether a person is guilty or not guilty, or whether a claim has been provedmembers of the juryThe jury has/have been unable to return a verdict (= reach a decision).Police officers aren't usually allowed to be/sit/serve on a jury.

2. a group of people chosen to decide the winner of a competition

justice noun FAIRNESS

1. [U] fairness in the way people are dealt withThere's no justice in the world when people can be made to suffer like that.The winner has been disqualified for cheating, so justice has been done (= a fair situation has

been achieved).

justice noun LAW

2. [U] the system of laws in a country which judges and punishes peoplethe justice system in this country consists of a series of law courts at different levels.The police are doing all they can to bring those responsible for the bombing to justice.They are victims of a miscarriage of justice (= when the law has been carried out wrongly).He has been accused of obstructing the course of justice (= preventing the law being put into

action).

justice noun JUDGE

3. [C] US a judge in a court of lawThe President is expected to name a new Supreme Court justice within the next few days.Justice Ben Overton

4. [C] UK used before the name of a judge in the High CourtMr Justice Ellis

legislation noun [U ]a law or set of laws suggested by a government and made official by a parliament[+ to infinitive] The government has promised to introduce legislation to limit fuel emissions fromcars.

ˌlife imˈprisonment noun [U ] (INFORMAL life)the punishment of being put in prison for a very long time without an arranged time for release or, in

the US, until death

offender noun [C ] LEGAL

a person who is guilty of a crimefirst-time offenderssex offendersyoung offenders

prevention noun [U ]when you stop something from happening or stop someone from doing somethingcrime preventionThe organization is committed to AIDS prevention and education.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

© Cambridge University Press 2008

probation noun [U ]1. a period of time when a criminal must behave well and not commit any more crimes in order to

avoid being sent to prisonHe was fined and given two years' probation.The judge put him on probation for two years.He served a year in prison and was then let out on probation.

2. a period of time at the start of a new job when you are watched and tested to see if you aresuitable for the joba period of probation

3. US a period of time in which a student who has behaved badly must improve their work orbehaviour in order to stay in a schoolGene's on probation this semester.

punish verb [T ] CRIME

1. to cause someone who has done something wrong or committed a crime to suffer, by hurtingthem, forcing them to pay money, sending them to prison, etcThose responsible for these crimes must be brought to court and punished.He punished the class by giving them extra work.The oil company was found guilty on ten counts of pollution, and was punished with a $250 million

fine.2. to punish anyone who commits a particular crime

Drunken driving can be punished with a prison sentence.

rehabilitate verb [T ]to return someone or something to a good or healthy condition, state or way of living

The prison service should try to rehabilitate prisoners so that they can lead normal lives when theyleave prison.Physiotherapy is part of rehabilitating accident victims.After 20 years in official disgrace, she's been rehabilitated (= given a positive public image again).

victim noun [C ]1. someone or something which has been hurt, damaged or killed or has suffered, either because of

the actions of someone or something else, or because of illness or chanceto provide financial aid to hurricane/flood, etc. victimsvictims of crimeThe children are the innocent/helpless victims of the fighting.The new drug might help save the lives of cancer victims.We appear to have been the victims of a cruel practical joke.Our local hospital has become the latest victim of the cuts in government spending.

2. fall victim to sthto be hurt, damaged or killed because of something or someoneIn 1948, Gandhi fell victim to a member of a Hindu gang.The company has fallen victim to increased competition.