SEPTEMBER 21, 2026

Legal English Vocabulary: Key Terms in Criminal Law
This week IngLesLegal covers criminal law, the body of law dealing with offenses against the state or society. Understanding these terms is essential for bilingual legal professionals who interpret for clients, explain charges to families, or support attorneys through the criminal justice process in the United States.
1. Arraignment
Meaning: A defendant's first formal court appearance after being charged with a crime, during which the charges are read and a plea is entered.
Equivalent English expressions: Initial hearing, first appearance
Spanish equivalent: Audiencia de lectura de cargos
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Example: "At the arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges."
2. Plea Bargain
Meaning: An agreement between the prosecution and defense in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty, often to a lesser charge, in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Equivalent English expressions: Plea deal, plea agreement
Spanish equivalent: Acuerdo de culpabilidad / Negociación de la pena
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Example: "His attorney negotiated a plea bargain that reduced the felony charge to a misdemeanor."
3. Felony
Meaning: A serious criminal offense, typically punishable by more than one year of imprisonment, such as robbery or assault with a deadly weapon.
Equivalent English expressions: Serious crime, indictable offense
Spanish equivalent: Delito grave
Law branches: Criminal Law
Example: "Possession with intent to distribute is classified as a felony in most states."
4. Misdemeanor
Meaning: A less serious criminal offense, usually punishable by less than one year in jail, a fine, or community service.
Equivalent English expressions: Minor offense, summary offense
Spanish equivalent: Delito menor / Falta
Law branches: Criminal Law
Example: "His first offense was charged as a misdemeanor rather than a felony."
5. Probable Cause
Meaning: A reasonable belief, based on facts and circumstances, that a crime has been committed, required before police can make an arrest or obtain a warrant.
Equivalent English expressions: Reasonable suspicion of guilt, sufficient grounds
Spanish equivalent: Causa probable
Law branches: Criminal Law, Constitutional Law
Example: "The officer needed probable cause before searching the trunk of the vehicle."
6. Miranda Rights
Meaning: The constitutional rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney, that police must inform a suspect of before custodial interrogation.
Equivalent English expressions: Miranda warning, right to remain silent
Spanish equivalent: Derechos Miranda / Advertencia Miranda
Law branches: Criminal Law, Constitutional Law
Example: "The case was dismissed because the officers failed to read him his Miranda rights before questioning."
7. Bail
Meaning: Money or property posted as a guarantee that a defendant will appear at future court dates, allowing their release from custody before trial.
Equivalent English expressions: Bail bond, pretrial release amount
Spanish equivalent: Fianza
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Example: "The judge set bail at $10,000 pending the preliminary hearing."
8. Acquittal
Meaning: A verdict declaring that a defendant is not guilty of the crime charged, resulting in their release without conviction.
Equivalent English expressions: Not-guilty verdict, exoneration at trial
Spanish equivalent: Absolución
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Example: "After a two-week trial, the jury returned an acquittal on all counts."
9. Indictment
Meaning: A formal written accusation issued by a grand jury charging a person with a serious crime, required before certain felony prosecutions proceed.
Equivalent English expressions: Grand jury charge, formal accusation
Spanish equivalent: Acta de acusación formal
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure
Example: "The grand jury returned an indictment on three counts of fraud."
10. Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
Meaning: The high standard of proof required in criminal trials, meaning the evidence must leave no reasonable uncertainty about the defendant's guilt.
Equivalent English expressions: Highest burden of proof, criminal standard of proof
Spanish equivalent: Más allá de toda duda razonable
Law branches: Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Constitutional Law
Example: "The prosecution must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to secure a conviction."
Criminal law vocabulary carries significant weight, since a defendant's rights and freedom often depend on how clearly these terms are understood and communicated. Join us next week as we continue exploring essential legal English across new practice areas.

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