LexiTopic: Law, Crime, & Courts

The LexiConnexxions analysis has identified 461 words that are used in 485 different ways related to Law, Crime, and Courts in the A-O portion of Spelling Bee lexicon, which comprises 74% of the entire lexicon. The list is given below, followed by the topical analysis, with definitions.
Words marked with an asterisk have been used in at least one Spelling Bee puzzle, then subsequently disallowed; they are retained here for historical interest.
Words Related to LAW, CRIME, & COURTS in the Spelling Bee lexicon: Word List
ABATEABATEDABATINGABETABETMENTABETTAL*ABETTEDACQUITACTIONADJOURNADJUDGINGAFFIANTAFFIRMAFFIRMINGALIBIALIENABLEALLEGEALLEGEDALLEGEDLYALLEGINGANNULANNULLEDANNULLINGAPPEALAPPEALABLEAPPEALEDAPPELLANTAPPELLATEAPPELLEEAPPOINTARBITRATORARRAYATTACHATTACHMENTATTAINT*AVOIDAWARDAWARDINGBAGMANBAGMENBAILBAILEEBAILIFFBAILINGBAILIWICKBAILOR*BANCBARRINGBATONBEATBEHEADBEHEADEDBENCHBILKBILLYBINDBINDINGBLACKMAILBLEEDBONDBONDBOODLEBOOKBOOKEDBOONDOGGLEBOONDOGGLEDBOUNTYBRAINBRAININGBRANDBRAVOBRIBINGBRINGBRINGINGBROUGHTBUBBLE BULLY
BUNCOBUNKO BURGLARBURGLARYBURGLINGBURNBURNINGBURNTCABALCAGECALLCALLEDCALLINGCAMECANARYCANDYMANCANNIBALCANTCANTINGCAPABLECAPACITYCAPITALCAVEATCELLCELLBLOCKCELLMATECHAINCHAININGCHAIRCHALLENGECHARGINGCHEATCHILDCIRCUITCITABLECITATIONCITECITEDCITINGCIVILCIVILIANCIVILLYCLEANCLEANEDCLEANINGCLINKCLIPCODECODICILCODIFIEDCODIFYCOLLARCOLLUDECOLLUDEDCOLORCOMECOMINGCOMITYCOMMITCOMMITMENTCOMMITTEDCOMMONCOMMOTIONCOMPETENCECOMPETENTCOMPLICITCONCORDCONFIDENCECONFINECONFINEDCONNEDCONNINGCONTEMPTCONTRACTCONTRACTOR CONVEYCONVEYED
CONVICTCONVICTIONCOPPEDCOPPINGCORRUPTCOUNTCOUNTRYCOURTCOVENANTCRACKCRAMPCRIMINALCROOKCUFFCUFFEDCULPRITCUTTHROATCUTTLEDAMAGEDEATHDEBTDEEDDEEDEDDEEDINGDEFAULTDEFAULTEDDEFEATDEFEATEDDEFENDDEFENDEDDEFENDINGDEMIMONDEDEPUTIZEDDEPUTIZEDDETECTDETECTEDDETECTIVEDETENTIONDEVOLVEDEVOLVEDDICTADIDDLEDIDDLEDDIDDLINGDIRTDOCKDOGGEDDOGGINGDOGNAPDOMAINDOMICILEDOMICILEDDOMINIONDOOMDOOMEDDOOMINGDOWRYDRACONIANDRACONICDROPDUNGEONECOTAGEEJECTEJECTABLEEJECTEDEJECTIONEMBEZZLEEMBEZZLEMENTEMPANELENABLEENCHAINENCHAININGENJOINENJOINED ENTAILENTITLEMENT
EVENTEVICTEVICTEDEVICTEEEVICTIONEVIDENCEEVIDENCEDEVIDENCINGEXAMEXECUTEEXEMPTEXTENTFAIRLYFAMILYFATWAFELONFENCEFENCEDFENCINGFIATFIEFFILCHFILCHINGFILEFILEDFILINGFINALFINDFINDINGFINEFINEDFININGFINKFINKINGFIRMFIXEDFLATFEETFLATFOOTFLEECEFLIMFLAMFLIPFLIPPEDFLIPPINGFORAFORGINGFORMALFORMALLYFORUMFRAUDFRONTFURLOUGHGAGGEDGAGGINGGAMEGANGGANGEDGANGINGGANGLANDGOONGRAFTGRAFTINGGRANTGRAVYGRIFTGRIFTINGGRILLGRILLINGGUARANTORGUARDIANGUILTGUILTILYGUILTYGULAGGUNMAN GUNMENHACKHALE
HANGHANGEDHANGINGHANGMANHARMONYHATEHATEDHATINGHAULHAULEDHAULINGHAVEHEADHEADEDHEATHENCHMANHENCHMENHITMENHOCKHOLDHOLEHOODHOODLUMHOOKHOOKEDHUNGHUNTHUNTEDIGNORINGILLEGALILLEGALITYILLEGALLYILLICITILLICITLYINALIENABLEINCAPACITATEINCURINCURRINGINDENTINDENTEDINDICTINDICTEDINDICTINGINDICTMENTINFORMINMATEINNOCENCEINNOCENTIRONIRONINGJACKJAILJAILBIRDJOINTJUDICIALJUGGINGJURORJUVENILEKEEPKETTLEKICKBACKKITEKNIFINGLABORLATENTLAWBOOKLAWMANLEADLEGALLEGALITYLEGALIZELEGALIZEDLEGALIZING LEGALLYLEGATELEGATEELEGITLEGITIMIZE
LEVIEDLEVYLIABILITYLIABLELIBELLIBELEDLIBELEELIBELINGLICITLICITLYLIENLIFELIFTLINELINEUPLITIGANTLITIGATELITIGATINGLITIGATORLOCKUPLOOPHOLELOOTLOOTEDLYNCHMACEMACEDMACINGMAIMMAIMEDMAIMINGMAJORMALICEMARAUDMARKMATRONMINORMINORITYMODALMOLLMONUMENTMORATORIAMOTIONMUGGEDMUGGINGMULEMUTEMUTEDMUTINGNABBEDNABBINGNAILNAILINGNAILINGNAKEDNARCNARCONATURALNEGLIGENCENIPPEDNIPPINGNONBINDINGNONEXEMPTNOTICENOTICINGNOVATIONNUDENULL OPINIONORDINARYOFFENDOFFENDEDOFFENDINGOUTLAWOPENOPTIONOUTLAW
Words Related to LAW, CRIME, & COURTS in the Spelling Bee lexicon: Topical Arrangement
Subject Headings
Courts and JurisprudenceCrime and CrimesCriminal PenaltiesCriminalsDetention and ImprisonmentLaw EnforcementLegalese
Courts and Jurisprudence
ACQUIT: to discharge completely (as from an accusation or obligation) ACTION: the initiating of a proceeding in a court of justice by which one demands or enforces one's right; also: the proceeding itselfADJOURN: to suspend indefinitely or until a later stated timeADJUDGING: to decide or rule upon as a judge: to adjudicate; to pronounce judicially: to rule; to award or grant judicially in a case of controversyAFFIRM: to testify or declare by affirmation as distinguished from swearing an oath; to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower courtAFFIRMING: to testify or declare by affirmation as distinguished from swearing an oath; to uphold a judgment or decree of a lower courtALLEGE: to assert without proof or before provingALLEGED: to assert without proof or before provingALLEGEDLY: accused but not proven or convicted (an alleged burglar)ALLEGING: to assert without proof or before provingAPPEAL: law: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review; also, law: law: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower courtAPPEALABLE: law: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review; also, law: law: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower courtAPPEALED: law: to take a lower court's decision to a higher court for review; also, law: law: a legal proceeding by which a case is brought before a higher court for review of the decision of a lower courtAPPELLANT: one that appeals from a judicial decision or decree; also, of or relating to an appeal: appellateAPPELLATE: of, relating to, or recognizing appeals, specifically: having the power to review the judgment of another tribunalAPPELLEE: one against whom an appeal is takenARBITRATOR: one that arbitrates a dispute: an arbiter, a person with power to decide a dispute: a judge; a person or agency whose judgment or opinion is considered authoritativeARRAY: law: an orderly listing of jurors impaneledAWARD: to give by judicial decree or after careful consideration; also, a judgment or final decision, especially: the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted to them; also, the document containing the decision of arbitratorsAWARDING: to give by judicial decree or after careful consideration; also, a judgment or final decision, especially: the decision of arbitrators in a case submitted to them; also, the document containing the decision of arbitratorsBAIL: law: the temporary release of a prisoner in exchange for security given for the prisoner's appearance at a later hearing; being held without bail; or the security given for the release of a prisoner on bail; or one who provides bail; or [verb] to release on bail; or [verb] to deliver (personal property) in trust to another for a special purpose and for a limited periodBAILIFF: a minor officer of some U.S. courts usually serving as a messenger or usherBAILING: to release on bailBANC: the bench on which the judges of a court sitBARRING: to prevent (a party) from bringing a claim or action (plaintiffs are barred from litigating such claims)BENCH: the seat where a judge sits in court; or the place where justice is administered: court; or the office or dignity of a judge; or the persons who sit as judgesCALL: to command or request to come or be present (e.g., to be called to testify)CALLED: to command or request to come or be present (e.g., to be called to testify)CALLING: to command or request to come or be present (e.g., to be called to testify)CAPITAL: punishable by death, or involving executionCHALLENGE: an exception taken to a juror before the juror is sworn; also, to question formally the legality or legal qualifications of (challenge a juror)CHARGING: of a judge: to give a charge to (a jury)CIRCUIT: a regular tour (as by a traveling judge) around an assigned district or territory; also, the route traveled (His circuit took him to many towns in the county.)CITABLE: to be called upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)CITATION: an official summons to appear (as before a court)CITE: to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)CITED: to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)CITING: to call upon officially or authoritatively to appear (as before a court)COMITY: the informal and voluntary recognition by courts of one jurisdiction of the laws and judicial decisions of anotherCOMMON: ordinary, having or constituting immediate or original jurisdiction; also: belonging to such jurisdictionCONTEMPT: willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a court, judge, or legislative bodyCONVICT: to find or prove to be guilty, or, a person convicted of and under sentence for a crimeCONVICTION: to find or prove to be guilty, or, a person convicted of and under sentence for a crimeCOUNT: an allegation, a charge, specifically: one separately stating the cause of action or prosecution in a legal declaration or indictment (guilty on all counts)COUNTRY: a juryCOURT: an official assembly for the transaction of judicial business; also, a session of such a court (The court is now adjourned.); also, a place (such as a chamber) for the administration of justice (sat quietly in the back of the court); a judge or judges in sessionCRIMINAL: relating to crime or to the prosecution of suspects in a crime (criminal statistics, brought criminal action, the criminal justice system)DEFAULT: failure to appear at the required time in a legal proceedingDEFAULTED: failure to appear at the required time in a legal proceedingDEFEND: to act as attorney for; or to deny or oppose the right of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged)DEFENDED: to act as attorney for; or to deny or oppose the right of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged)DEFENDING: to act as attorney for; or to deny or oppose the right of a plaintiff in regard to (a suit or a wrong charged)DICTA: plural of dictum: a judge's expression of opinion on a point other than the precise issue involved in determining a caseDOCK: the place in a criminal court where a prisoner stands or sits during trialDOOM: judgment, decision; especially: a judicial condemnation or sentence; also, to give judgment against: to condemnDOOMED: judgment, decision; especially: a judicial condemnation or sentence; also, to give judgment against: to condemnDOOMING: judgment, decision; especially: a judicial condemnation or sentence; also, to give judgment against: to condemnEMPANEL: M-W: variant of impanel, as to empanel a juryENJOIN: to prohibit by a judicial order: put an injunction onENJOINED: to prohibit by a judicial order: put an injunction onFATWA: a legal opinion or decree handed down by an Islamic religious leaderFIAT: an authoritative or arbitrary order: decreeFILE: to initiate (something, such as a legal action) through proper formal procedureFILED: to initiate (something, such as a legal action) through proper formal procedureFILING: to initiate (something, such as a legal action) through proper formal procedureFINAL: of or relating to a concluding court action or proceeding (final decree)FIND: to determine a case judicially by a verdictFINDING: to determine a case judicially by a verdictFINE: a sum imposed as punishment for an offense; also, to impose a fine on; to punish by a fine FINED: to impose a fine on: to punish by a fineFINING: to impose a fine on: to punish by a fineFORA: plural of forum, a judicial body or assembly: courtFORUM: a judicial body or assembly: courtGUILT: the fact of having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penaltyGUILTILY: having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penaltyGUILTY: having committed a breach of conduct especially violating law and involving a penaltyHALE: to compel to go (haled her into court)HAUL: to bring before an authority for interrogation or judgment: to haleHAULED: to bring before an authority for interrogation or judgment: to haleHAULING: to bring before an authority for interrogation or judgment: to haleHUNG: of a jury: unable to reach a decision or verdictINNOCENCE: freedom from legal guilt of a particular crime or offenseINNOCENT: free from legal guilt or faultJUDICIAL: of or relating to a judgment, the function of judging, the administration of justice, or the judiciary; also, ordered or enforced by a court, or belonging or appropriate to a judge or the judiciaryJUROR: a member of a jury; also, a person summoned to serve on a juryLEAD: to suggest to (a witness) the answer desired by asking leading questionsLITIGANT: one engaged in a lawsuitLITIGATE: to carry on a legal contest by judicial process; also, to decide and settle in a court of lawLITIGATING: to carry on a legal contest by judicial process; also, to decide and settle in a court of lawLITIGATOR: one who carries on a legal contest by judicial process: one who litigates legal casesMOTION: an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or directionMUTE: refusing to plead directly or stand trial (the prisoner stands mute)MUTED: refusing to plead directly or stand trial (the prisoner stands mute)MUTING: refusing to plead directly or stand trial (the prisoner stands mute) OPINION: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is basedORDINARY: having or constituting immediate or original jurisdiction; also: belonging to such jurisdiction; also, a judge of probate in some states of the U.S.
Crime and Crimes
ABET: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crimeABETMENT: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crimeABETTAL*: M-W does not include abettal, the act of urging onABETTED: to assist, encourage, instigate, or support with criminal intent in attempting or carrying out a crimeBILK: to cheat out of something valuable: defraud; to evade payment of or to; to obtain (something) by defrauding someoneBLACKMAIL: extortion or coercion by threats especially of public exposure or criminal prosecution, or the payment that is extortedBLEED: to get or extort money from especially over a prolonged periodBOODLE: bribe moneyBOONDOGGLE: a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graftBOONDOGGLED: a wasteful or impractical project or activity often involving graftBRAIN: to kill by smashing the skullBRAINING: to kill by smashing the skullBRIBING: to influence the judgment or conduct of (someone) with or as if with offers of money or favor: to induce or influence by or as if by briberyBUBBLE: a delusive or fraudulent scheme or undertaking —often used in the capitalized names of specific bubbles (e.g., the Mississippi Bubble)BUNCO: a swindling game or schemeBUNKO: a swindling game or schemeBURGLARY: the crime of entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft)BURGLING: the crime of entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft)CHEAT: to deprive of something valuable by the use of deceit or fraud; to practice fraud or trickeryCLEAN: free from violations (a clean driving record); also, to rid of corruption (vowing to clean up city hall)CLEANED: free from violations (a clean driving record); also, to rid of corruption (vowing to clean up city hall)CLEANING: free from violations (a clean driving record); also, to rid of corruption (vowing to clean up city hall)CLIP: to take money from unfairly or dishonestly especially by overcharging (the nightclub clipped the tourist for $200)COLLUDE: to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest: conspire, plotCOLLUDED: to work together secretly especially in order to do something illegal or dishonest: conspire, plotCOMMOTION: M-W’s 1st def.: a condition of civil unrest or insurrectionCONFIDENCE: of, relating to, or adept at swindling by false promisesCONNED: con: to swindle (conned retirees out of their savings)CONNING: con: to swindle (conned retirees out of their savings)CONTRACT: an order or arrangement for a hired assassin to kill someone; also, (adjective): hired to execute a contract (a contract worker, a contract killer)COPPED: slang: steal, swipeCOPPING: slang: steal, swipeCORRUPT: to bribe; also, characterized by improper conduct (such as bribery or the selling of favors)CRACK: to break into (crack a safe); also, housebreaking, burglaryCRIMINAL: relating to, involving, or being a crime (criminal neglect, a criminal organization)DIDDLE: to hoax, to swindleDIDDLED: to hoax, to swindleDIDDLING: to hoax, to swindleDIRT: corruption, chicanery (vowed to clean up the dirt in the city government)DOGNAP: to steal (a dog) especially to obtain a reward for its return or to sell to a scientific laboratoryECOTAGE: destructive or obstructive action designed to publicize or harass people believed to be harming the environmentEMBEZZLE: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own useEMBEZZLEMENT: to appropriate (something, such as property entrusted to one's care) fraudulently to one's own useFENCED: received stolen goodsFENCING: receiving stolen goodsFILCH: to steal secretly or casuallyFILCHING: to steal secretly or casuallyFIXED: to influence the actions, outcome, or effect of by improper or illegal methods (the race had been fixed)FLEECE: to strip of money or property by fraud or extortionFLIMFLAM: deceptive nonsense; deception, fraud; also, to subject to a flimflamFORGING: to make or imitate falsely especially with intent to defraud: to counterfeitFRAUD: intentional perversion of truth in order to induce another to part with something of value or to surrender a legal rightFRONT: to act or serve as a cover or front for something or someone; also, US, informal: to assume a fake or false personality to conceal one's true identity and characterGAME: an illegal or shady scheme or maneuver: a racketGRAFT: the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways; also, illegal or unfair gain; or to practice graftGRAFTING: the acquisition of gain (such as money) in dishonest or questionable ways; also, illegal or unfair gain; or to practice graftGRAVY: unearned or illicit gain: graftGRIFT: to obtain (money or property) illicitly (as in a confidence game)GRIFTING: to obtain (money or property) illicitly (as in a confidence game)HATE: a systematic and especially politically exploited expression of hatred (e.g., hate crime)HATED: a systematic and especially politically exploited expression of hatred (e.g., hate crime)HATING: a systematic and especially politically exploited expression of hatred (e.g., hate crime)HAVE: to bribe, suborn (can be had for a price)HOOK: to steal or pilferHOOK: to work as a prostituteHOOKED: to work as a prostituteINDICT: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTED: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTING: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTMENT: a formal written statement prepared by a prosecuting authority charging a person with a crime and returned by a jury (such as a grand jury) upon finding that sufficient evidence to support it was presented; also, the action or the legal process of indicting; also, the state of being indictedJACK: to steal or robKICKBACK: a return of a part of a sum received often because of confidential agreement or coercionKITE: a check drawn against uncollected funds in a bank account or fraudulently raised before cashing; also, to use (a bad check) to get credit or money; to get money or credit by a kiteKNIFING: to use a knife onLIFT: to steal (had her purse lifted); also, an act of stealing: theftLOOT: something appropriated illegally often by force or violence (the thieves' loot); also, the action of looting (the general loot of public funds); also, to rob especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruptionLOOTED: something appropriated illegally often by force or violence (the thieves' loot); also, the action of looting (the general loot of public funds); also, to rob especially on a large scale and usually by violence or corruptionLYNCH: to put to death (as by hanging) by mob action without legal approval or permission, from lynch law (the punishment of presumed crimes or offenses usually by death without due process of law), probably after Charles Lynch †1796 Virginia planter and justice of the peaceMAIM: to commit the felony of mayhem uponMAIMED: to commit the felony of mayhem uponMAIMING: to commit the felony of mayhem uponMALICE: intent to commit an unlawful act or cause harm without legal justification or excuseMARAUD: to roam about and raid in search of plunder; to raid, to pillageMARK: an object of attack, ridicule, or abuse, specifically: a victim or prospective victim of a swindleMUGGED: to assault usually with intent to rob; to attack suddenlyMUGGING: to assault usually with intent to rob; to attack suddenlyNIPPED: to snatch, stealNIPPING: to snatch, steal OFFEND: to violate a law or rule: to do wrong (offend against the law); to violate, to transgress (a contract not offending a statute)OFFENDED: to violate a law or rule: to do wrong (offend against the law); to violate, to transgress (a contract not offending a statute)OFFENDING: to violate a law or rule: to do wrong (offend against the law); to violate, to transgress (a contract not offending a statute)
Criminal Penalties
BEHEAD: to cut off the head of: decapitateBEHEADED: to cut off the head of: decapitateBRAND: a mark put on criminals with a hot iron; also, to mark with a brand; also, a tool used to produce a brandBURN: informal: to die in the electric chair, to electrocute; to execute by burning (heretics are no longer burned at the stake.)BURNING: informal: to die in the electric chair, to electrocute; to execute by burning (heretics are no longer burned at the stake.)BURNT: informal: to die in the electric chair, to electrocute; to execute by burning (heretics are no longer burned at the stake.)CHAIR: electric chairHANG: to suspend by the neck until deadHANGED: to suspend by the neck until deadHANGING: to suspend by the neck until deadHANGMAN: one who hangs a condemned person; also: a public executionerHEAD: to beheadHEADED: to beheadLABOR: expenditure of physical or mental effort especially when difficult or compulsory (was sentenced to six months at hard labor)LIFE: a sentence of imprisonment for the remainder of a convict's lifeNAIL: to arrest or punish for an offenseNAILING: to arrest or punish for an offense
Criminals
ALIBI: the plea of having been at the time of the commission of an act elsewhere than at the place of commissionAPPEAL: law: a criminal accusationBAGMAN: a person who on behalf of another collects or distributes illicitly gained money. Broadly: an intermediary in an illicit or unethical transactionBAGMEN: a person who on behalf of another collects or distributes illicitly gained money. Broadly: an intermediary in an illicit or unethical transactionBRAND: a mark put on criminals with a hot iron; also, to mark with a brand; also, a tool used to produce a brandBRAVO: M-W’s 1st def: villain, desperado, especially: a hired assassinBULLY: a hired ruffian, or a pimpBURGLAR: one who commits burglary, the crime of entering a structure (such as a house or commercial building) with the intent to commit a felony (such as theft)CABAL: the contrived schemes of a group of persons secretly united in a plot (as to overturn a government)CANARY: an informerCANDYMAN: M-W does not list this either as a closed compound or open compound. A drug dealer.CANNIBAL: one that eats the flesh of its own kind; from Spanish Caníbal … akin to Carib, a member of an Indian people of northern South America and the Lesser AntillesCANT: the private language of the underworld (the cant of thieves); also, to speak in cant or jargon (thieves canting among themselves)CANTING: the private language of the underworld (the cant of thieves); also, to speak in cant or jargon (thieves canting among themselves)COMPLICIT: helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some wayCRIMINAL: one who has committed a crime; a person who has been convicted of a crime; also, guilty of crime; also: of or befitting a criminal (a criminal mind)CROOK: a person who engages in fraudulent or criminal practicesCULPRIT: one accused of or charged with or found guilty of a crimeCUTTHROAT: a killer or murdererCUTTLE: a bully or ruffianDEMIMONDE: a class of women on the fringes of respectable society supported by wealthy lovers; also, their world. Or, the world of prostitutionFAMILY: a unit of a crime syndicate (such as the Mafia) operating within a geographical areaFELON: one who has committed a felonyFENCE: a receiver of stolen goods, or to receive stolen goods, or a place where stolen goods are boughtFINK: to give information about another's wrongdoing to an authority, or one who does soFINKING: to give information about another's wrongdoing to an authority, or one who does soFLIP: to cause or persuade (a witness) to cooperate in prosecuting a criminal case against an associate; also, to cooperate in the prosecution of a criminal case against an associateFLIPPED: to cause or persuade (a witness) to cooperate in prosecuting a criminal case against an associate; also, to cooperate in the prosecution of a criminal case against an associateFLIPPING: to cause or persuade (a witness) to cooperate in prosecuting a criminal case against an associate; also, to cooperate in the prosecution of a criminal case against an associateGANG: a group of persons working to unlawful or antisocial ends, especially a band of antisocial adolescentsGANG: to move or act as a gangGANGED: to move or act as a gangGANGING: to move or act as a gangGANGLAND: the world of organized crimeGOON: a man hired to terrorize or eliminate opponentsGUNMAN: a man armed with a gun, especially: a professional killerGUNMEN: a man armed with a gun, especially: a professional killerHENCHMAN: a member of a gangHENCHMEN: a member of a gangHITMEN: M-W has the open compound hit man, a professional assassin who works for a crime syndicate; a hatchet manHOOD: a hoodlum,: a usually violent criminalHOODLUM: somewhat old-fashioned: a usually violent criminalINFORM: to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) to an authority (informed on a member of his own gang)JAILBIRD: a person confined in jail; especially: a habitual criminalJUVENILE: of or relating to young people who have committed or are accused of committing a criminal offense; the juvenile justice system, juvenile crimeMOLL: a gangster's girlfriend; probably from Moll, nickname for MaryMULE: slang: a person who smuggles or delivers illicit substances (such as drugs)NARCO: US slang : one who traffics or deals drugs illegally; also: narcotic drugs —usually used before another noun (narco traffic/traffickers, narco smuggling; borrowed from American Spanish, probably short for narcotraficante "drug trafficker.” OUTLAW: a lawless person or a fugitive from the law
Detention and Imprisonment
BARRING: to confine or shut in by or as if by bars barring prisoners in their cells)BOND: something that binds or restrains: fetter (prisoners freed from their bonds)CAGE: a barred cell for confining prisonersCELL: a single room in a prison usually for one personCELLBLOCK: a group of cells constituting a subdivision of a prisonCELLMATE: or less commonly cell mate: a person who shares a prison cell with another prisonerCHAIN: to fetterCHAINING: to fetterCLINK: slang: a prison cell; slang: jail, prison; probably from Clink, a prison in Southwark, London, EnglandCLINK: slang: a prison cell; slang: jail, prison; probably from Clink, a prison in Southwark, London, EnglandCOLLAR: to arrest, grab; an act of collaring: arrest, captureCOMMIT: to place in a prison or mental institutionCOMMITMENT: a consignment to a penal institution; also, a mittimus, a warrant of commitment to prisonCOMMITTED: to place in a prison or mental institutionCONFINE: to imprisonCONFINED: to imprisonCRAMP: something that confines: shackle; also, the state of being confined; also, to confine, restrainCUFF: to handcuffCUFFED: to handcuffDETENTION: the act or fact of detaining or holding back, especially: a holding in custody; or the state of being detained, especially: a period of temporary custody prior to disposition by a courtDROP: a hinged platform on a gallowsDUNGEON: a dark usually underground prison or vaultENCHAIN: to bind or hold with or as if with chainsENCHAINING: to bind or hold with or as if with chainsEXECUTE: to put (someone) to death especially in compliance with a legal sentenceFURLOUGH: a set period of time when a prisoner is allowed to leave a prisonGAGGED: to restrict use of the mouth of by inserting something into it to prevent speech or outcryGAGGING: to restrict use of the mouth of by inserting something into it to prevent speech or outcryGULAG: the penal system of the Soviet Union consisting of a network of labor camps, or a penal colony where forced labor is performedHACK: slang: a guard, especially at a prisonHOCK: prisonHOLD: to restrain as or as if a captive (e.g., the suspect was held without bail); also, confinement, custody, or prisonHOLE: a prison cell especially for solitary confinementINMATE: a person confined in a prisonIRON: irons plural: shackles for the hands or legs; also, to shackle with ironsIRONING: to shackle with ironsJAIL: a place of confinement for persons held in lawful custody, specifically: such a place under the jurisdiction of a local government (such as a county) for the confinement of persons awaiting trial or those convicted of minor crimesJOINT: slang: prisonJUGGING: to jail, to imprisonKEEP: a prison, jailKETTLE: to corral or contain (people) in large numbers by surrounding and forcing into an enclosed areaLOCKUP: jail, especially: a local jail where persons are detained prior to court hearingMATRON: a woman who supervises women or children (as in a school or police station) [or prison]NABBED: to catch or seize in arrest: to apprehendNABBING: to catch or seize in arrest: to apprehendNAIL: to arrest or punish for an offenseNAILING: to arrest or punish for an offense
Law Enforcement
BAILIWICK: law enforcement: the office or jurisdiction of a bailiffBATON: cudgel, truncheon; specifically: a billy clubBEAT: a regularly traversed round (a cop patrolling her beat)BILLY: M’W’s 1st def.: synonym of billy, a heavy rigid stick used as a weapon or for punishment, such as carried by law enforcementBOOK: law enforcement: all the charges that can be made against an accused person (threw the book at him); also, to enter charges against in a police register (was booked on suspicion of murder)BOOKED: law enforcement: all the charges that can be made against an accused person (threw the book at him); also, to enter charges against in a police register (was booked on suspicion of murder)BOOKED: to enter charges against in a police registerBOUNTY: a payment for the capture of or assistance in the capture of an outlawDEPUTIZED: to appoint as deputyDEPUTIZED: to appoint as deputyDETECT: to work as a detective , one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible; of or relating to detectives or their workDETECTED: to work as a detective , one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible; of or relating to detectives or their workDETECTIVE: one employed or engaged in detecting lawbreakers or in getting information that is not readily or publicly accessible; of or relating to detectives or their workDOGGED: to hunt, track, or follow (someone) like a houndDOGGING: to hunt, track, or follow (someone) like a houndEXAM: short for examination, a formal interrogationFLATFEET: or plural flatfoots, slang: a police officer, especially: a patrolman walking a regular beatFLATFOOT: slang: a police officer, especially: a patrolman walking a regular beatGRILL: to question intensely, such as during an interrogationGRILLING: to question intensely, such as during an interrogationHEAT: police; also, the intensification of law-enforcement activity or investigationHUNT: to pursue with intent to capture (hunted the escapees); to drive or chase especially by harrying (members … were hunted from their homes)HUNTED: to pursue with intent to capture (hunted the escapees); to drive or chase especially by harrying (members … were hunted from their homes)LATENT: a fingerprint (as at the scene of a crime) that is scarcely visible but can be developed for study; called also latent fingerprint, latent printLAWMAN: a law-enforcement officer (such as a sheriff or marshal)LIFT: to take up (a fingerprint) from a surfaceLINEUP: a line of persons arranged especially for inspection or for identification by policeMACE: to attack with the liquid Mace [the product Mace is a trademark, capitalized]MACED: to attack with the liquid Mace [the product Mace is a trademark, capitalized]MACING: to attack with the liquid Mace [the product Mace is a trademark, capitalized]NARC: slang: a person (such as a government agent) who investigates narcotics crimes: a narcoNARC: or less commonly nark, slang: a person who informs on another especially to the authorities: a snitch; also, to give information (as of another's wrongdoing) especially to an authority: to snitch, inform —often used with on; to snitch or inform on (someone): rat —usually used with outNARCO: US slang: a person investigating narcotics violations: a narc; borrowed from American Spanish, probably short for narcotraficante "drug trafficker.”
Legalese
ABATE: to become defeated or become null or void (as of a writ or appeal); to nullify (e.g., to abate a writ)ABATED: to become defeated or become null or void (as of a writ or appeal); to nullify (e.g., to abate a writ)ABATING: to become defeated or become null or void (as of a writ or appeal); to nullify (e.g., to abate a writ)AFFIANT: one who swears to an affidavitALIENABLE: transferable to another's ownershipANNUL: to declare or make legally invalid or voidANNULLED: to declare or make legally invalid or voidANNULLING: to declare or make legally invalid or voidAPPOINT: law: to determine the disposition of (an estate) to someone by virtue of a power of appointmentATTACH: to take by legal authority especially under a writATTACHMENT: a seizure by legal process; also: the writ or precept commanding such seizureATTAINT*: to affect by attainder (extinction of the civil rights and capacities of a person upon sentence of death or outlawry usually after a conviction of treason)AVOID: law: to make legally void: to annul (avoid a plea)BAILEE: the person to whom personal property is bailedBAILOR*: a person who delivers personal property to another in trustBARRING: to put forth legal objection to (something, such as a claim or action) (final judgment barred the subsequent claim)BIND: to constrain with legal authorityBINDING: to constrain with legal authorityBOND: one who provides bail or acts as suretyBRING: to institute, to set going (bring legal action); also, to force, compel (was brought before a judge); also, to prefer; to bring or lay against someone (whether to bring legal charges against him)BRINGING: to institute, to set going (bring legal action); also, to force, compel (was brought before a judge); also, to prefer; to bring or lay against someone (whether to bring legal charges against him)BROUGHT: to institute, to set going (bring legal action); also, to force, compel (was brought before a judge); also, to prefer; to bring or lay against someone (whether to bring legal charges against him)CAME: to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property (Several thousand dollars came to him from his uncle.)CAPABLE: having legal right to own, enjoy, or performCAPACITY: legal competency or fitnessCAVEAT: a legal warningCHALLENGE: to take legal exceptionCHILD: a person not yet of the age of majorityCIVIL: established by law (civil freedoms); also, of, relating to, or based on civil law; also, relating to private rights and to remedies sought by action or suit distinct from criminal proceedings mannerly (a civil question)CIVILIAN: a specialist in Roman or modern civil lawCIVILLY: in terms of civil rights, law, or mattersCLEAN: slang: having no contraband (such as weapons or drugs) in one's possession (All visitors to the prison are searched to make sure they're clean.)CODE: a systematic statement of a body of law, especially: one given statutory forceCODICIL: a legal instrument made to modify an earlier willCODIFIED: to reduce to a code (The convention codified the rules of war.)CODIFY: to reduce to a code (The convention codified the rules of war.)COLOR: a legal claim to or appearance of a right, authority, or officeCOME: to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property (Several thousand dollars came to him from his uncle.)COMING: to fall to a person in a division or inheritance of property (Several thousand dollars came to him from his uncle.)COMMON: the legal right of taking a profit in another's land in common with the owner or othersCOMPETENCE: law: legal authority, ability, or admissibilityCOMPETENT: legally qualified or adequateCONCORD: agreement by stipulation, compact, or covenantCONTRACT: a binding agreement between two or more persons or parties, especially one legally enforceable; also, a document describing the terms of a contractCONTRACTOR: one that contracts or is party to a contractCONVEY: to transfer or deliver (something, such as property) to another especially by a sealed writingCONVEYED: to transfer or deliver (something, such as property) to another especially by a sealed writingCOVENANT: a usually formal, solemn, and binding agreementDAMAGE: damages plural: compensation in money imposed by law for loss or injuryDEATH: law: civil death: the status of a living person equivalent in its legal consequences to natural death, specifically: the deprivation of civil rightsDEBT: law and business: the common-law action for the recovery of money held to be dueDEED: a signed and usually sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract; also, to convey or transfer by a signed instrument containing a legal transfer, bargain, or contract: to convey or transfer by deedDEEDED: a signed and usually sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract; also, to convey or transfer by a signed instrument containing a legal transfer, bargain, or contract: to convey or transfer by deedDEEDING: a signed and usually sealed instrument containing some legal transfer, bargain, or contract; also, to convey or transfer by a signed instrument containing a legal transfer, bargain, or contract: to convey or transfer by deedDEFEAT: law: to: nullify (defeat an estate)DEFEATED: law: to: nullify (defeat an estate)DEVOLVE: to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another; to pass by transmission or successionDEVOLVED: to pass on (something, such as responsibility, rights, or powers) from one person or entity to another; to pass by transmission or successionDOMAIN: law: complete and absolute ownership of landDOMICILE: law: a person's fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposesDOMICILED: law: a person's fixed, permanent, and principal home for legal purposesDOMINION: law: supreme authority: sovereignty; absolute ownership; complete and absolute ownership of landDOWRY: law: the money, goods, or estate that a woman brings to her husband in marriageDRACONIAN: law: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him; from Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)DRACONIC: variation of draconian: of, relating to, or characteristic of Draco or the severe code of laws held to have been framed by him; from Latin Dracon-, Draco, from Greek Drakōn Draco (Athenian lawgiver)EJECT: to evict from propertyEJECTABLE: to evict from propertyEJECTED: to evict from propertyEJECTION: to evict from propertyENABLE: to give legal power, capacity, or sanction to (a law enabling admission of a state)ENTAIL: to restrict (property) by limiting the inheritance to the owner's lineal descendants or to a particular class thereof; or to confer, assign, or transmit (something) for an indefinitely long time: to confer, assign, or transmit as if by entailENTITLEMENT: the state or condition of being entitled: a right; a right to benefits specified especially by law or contractEVENT: the final outcome or determination of a legal actionEVICT: to recover (property) from a person by legal process; to put (a tenant) out by legal processEVICTED: to recover (property) from a person by legal process; to put (a tenant) out by legal processEVICTEE: an evicted personEVICTION: to recover (property) from a person by legal process; to put (a tenant) out by legal processEVIDENCE: something that furnishes proof: testimony, specifically: something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter; also, one who bears witness, especially: one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices; also, to offer evidence of: prove, evinceEVIDENCED: something that furnishes proof: testimony, specifically: something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter; also, one who bears witness, especially: one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices; also, to offer evidence of: prove, evinceEVIDENCING: something that furnishes proof: testimony, specifically: something legally submitted to a tribunal to ascertain the truth of a matter; also, one who bears witness, especially: one who voluntarily confesses a crime and testifies for the prosecution against one's accomplices; also, to offer evidence of: prove, evinceEXECUTE: to perform what is required to give validity to (something) (execute a deed)EXEMPT: free or released from some liability or requirement to which others are subject; also, to release or deliver from some liability or requirement to which others are subject; also, one exempted or freed from dutyEXTENT: a writ giving to a creditor temporary possession of his debtor's propertyFAIRLY: in a proper or legal manner (fairly priced houses)FIEF: something over which one has rights or exercises controlFINE: a forfeiture or penalty paid to an injured party in a civil action; also, a compromise of a fictitious suit used as a form of conveyance of landsFIRM: a partnership of two or more persons that is not recognized as a legal person distinct from the members composing itFORMAL: done in due or lawful formFORMALLY: done in due or lawful formGRANT: to bestow or transfer formally; specifically, to give the possession or title of by a deed; also, a transfer of property by deed or writing, or the instrument by which such a transfer is madeGUARANTOR: one that gives a guarantyGUARDIAN: someone who has the care of the person or property of another; often, specifically: a person granted legal custody of a minor who is not the person's own biological childHARMONY: in agreement, accord (e.g., the treaty is in harmony with our legal requirements)IGNORING: to reject (a bill of indictment) as ungroundedILLEGAL: not according to or authorized by law: unlawful, illicit ILLEGALITY: not according to or authorized by law: unlawful, illicit ILLEGALLY: not according to or authorized by law: unlawful, illicit ILLICIT: not permitted: unlawfulILLICITLY: not permitted: unlawfulINALIENABLE: incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferredINCAPACITATE: to make legally incapable or ineligibleINCUR: to become liable or subject to: bring down upon oneselfINCURRING: to become liable or subject to: bring down upon oneselfINDENT: to draw up (something, such as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding copies; also, a formal or official document usually executed in two or more copies; also, to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authenticationINDENTED: to draw up (something, such as a deed) in two or more exactly corresponding copies; also, to divide (a document) so as to produce sections with irregular edges that can be matched for authenticationINDICT: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTED: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTING: to charge with a crime by the finding or presentment of a jury (such as a grand jury) in due form of lawINDICTMENT: a formal written statement prepared by a prosecuting authority charging a person with a crime and returned by a jury (such as a grand jury) upon finding that sufficient evidence to support it was presented; also, the action or the legal process of indicting; also, the state of being indictedLAWBOOK: a book containing or dealing with laws, legal subjects, or cases adjudicatedLEGAL: of or relating to law; deriving authority from or founded on law: de jure; having a formal status derived from law often without a basis in actual fact: TITULAR; established by law, especially: STATUTORY; of, relating to, or having the characteristics of the profession of law or of one of its members (a legal associate); created by the constructions of the law (a legal fiction); recognized or made effective by a court of law as distinguished from a court of equity; one that conforms to rules or the lawLEGALITY: attachment to or observance of law; the quality or state of being legal: lawfulness; legalities plural: obligations imposed by lawLEGALIZE: to make legal; especially: to give legal validity or sanction toLEGALIZED: to make legal; especially: to give legal validity or sanction toLEGALIZING: to make legal; especially: to give legal validity or sanction toLEGALLY: in a legal manner: in accordance with the law; from the point of view of lawLEGATE: to bequeath, to give or leave by will, used especially of personal property; to hand down: to transmitLEGATEE: one to whom a legacy is bequeathed or a devise is givenLEGIT: informal: legitimate: accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirementsLEGITIMIZE: to make legitimate: to legitimate, to make (someone or something) legitimate: to give legal status or authorization toLEVIED: to seize propertyLEVY: to seize propertyLIABILITY: the quality or state of being [legally] liable (was cleared of liability for the accident)LIABLE: obligated according to law or equity; legally responsible.LIBEL: a written statement in which a plaintiff in certain courts sets forth the cause of action or the relief sought; also, a written or oral defamatory statement or representation that conveys an unjustly unfavorable impression; also, a statement or representation published without just cause and tending to expose another to public contempt; defamation of a person by written or representational means; the publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious, or obscene writings or pictures; the act, tort, or crime of publishing such a libel; also, to make libelous statements; to make or publish a libel againstLIBELED: to make libelous statements; to make or publish a libel againstLIBELEE: one against whom a libel has been filed in a courtLIBELING: to make libelous statements; to make or publish a libel againstLICIT: conforming to the requirements of the law: not forbidden by law: permissibleLICITLY: conforming to the requirements of the law: not forbidden by law: permissibleLIEN: a charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law; also, the security interest created by a mortgageLINE: lines plural: a certificate of marriageLOOPHOLE: a means of escape, especially: an ambiguity or omission in the text through which the intent of a statute, contract, or obligation may be evadedMAJOR: of full legal age (major children); also, a person who has attained majorityMINOR: not having reached majority (He is the father of minor children.); a person who is not yet old enough to have the rights of an adultMINORITY: the period before a person reaches the age of majority; also, the state of being a legal minorMODAL: containing provisions as to the mode of procedure or the manner of taking effect —used of a contract or legacyMONUMENT: a written legal document or recordMORATORIA: plural of moratorium, a legally authorized period of delay in the performance of a legal obligationNAKED: lacking confirmation or support (naked contracts)NATURAL: having a physical or real existence as contrasted with one that is spiritual, intellectual, or fictitious (A corporation is a legal but not a natural person.)NEGLIGENCE: failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstancesNONBINDING: having no legal or binding force: not binding (a nonbinding agreement)NONEXEMPT: not free or released from some requirement to which others are subject: not exemptNOTICE: the announcement of a party's intention to quit an agreement or relation at a specified time (tenants' right freely to give notice); also, to give a formal notice toNOTICING: the announcement of a party's intention to quit an agreement or relation at a specified time (tenants' right freely to give notice); also, to give a formal notice toNOVATION: the substitution of a new legal obligation for an old oneNUDE: lacking something essential especially to legal validity (a nude contract)NULL: having no legal or binding force : invalid (a null contract); also, to make null OPEN: characterized by lack of effective regulation of various commercial enterprises (an open town); not repressed by legal controls (open gambling)OPTION: a privilege of demanding fulfillment of a contract on any day within a specified timeOUTLAW: a person excluded from the benefit or protection of the law; also, a person or organization under a ban or restriction; also, to deprive of the benefit and protection of law: to declare to be an outlaw; to make illegal (outlawed dueling); to place under a ban or restriction; to remove from legal jurisdiction or enforcement
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