Law and Justice: Then and Now
Vocabulary
Crime and Punishment
- Guilty: culpable
- Innocent: inocente
- Court: juzgado
- Crime: delito
- Criminal: criminal
- Detective: detective
- Evidence: pruebas
- Judge: juez
- Jury: jurado
- Justice: justicia
- Law: derecho
- Lawyer: abogado
- Police officer: agente de policía
- Prison: cárcel
- Punishment: castigo
- Sentence: sentencia
- Victim: víctima
- Witness: testigo
- Arrest: detener
- Commit (a crime): cometer un crimen
- Investigate: investigar
- Prove: demostrar
Types of Crimes
- Burglar: ladrón (casas)
- Burglary: robo (casa)
- Burgle: robar (casa)
- Kidnap: secuestrar
- Kidnapper: secuestrador
- Kidnapping: secuestro
- Mug: atracar
- Mugger: atracador
- Mugging: atraco
- Murder (noun): asesinato
- Murder (verb): asesinar
- Rob: robar
- Robber: ladrón
- Robbery: robo
- Shoplift: robar (tienda)
- Shoplifter: ladrón (en tienda)
- Shoplifting: robo (en tienda)
- Steal: robar
- Theft: robo
- Thief: ladrón
- Vandalism: vandalismo
- Vandal: vándalo
- Vandalize: destrozar
- Suspect: sospechoso
- Murderer: asesino
Other Vocabulary
- Detective series: serie detectives
- Exam result: resultado del examen
- Football team: equipo de fútbol
- Police car: coche de policía
- School building: colegio (edificio)
- Summer holiday: vacaciones de verano
- Traffic light: semáforo
- Bus stop: parada de autobús
- Care home: residencia
- Community service: servicio comunitario
- Defense Lawyer: abogado defensor
Reporting Verbs
- Verb + Object + Infinitive with “to”: ask, advise, invite, order, remind, tell, encourage, persuade, warn.
- Verb + Infinitive with “to”: agree, offer, refuse, promise.
- Verb + “that” + Subject + Verb in the tense: admit, declare, explain, insist, promise, recommend, reply, reveal, say, suggest, add.
- Verb + “for” + “-ing”: apologize for.
The Evolution of Law
I believe that the law today is less severe than in the past. People used to fear the law more because both judges and sentences were harsher. In the past, those who committed any crime, whether theft, murder, or even treason against the king or country, were sentenced to death. The methods used were very violent and did not affect the entire population equally, as the nobility, clergy, and, of course, the King had privileges under the law.
However, these methods have changed dramatically. Now, the death penalty is abolished in most countries, and we are all equal before the law, as dictated by constitutions like Spain’s. Crimes are punished less harshly, and not everyone who breaks the law receives the same sentence. For example, someone who commits software piracy may receive a higher sentence than a murderer, even though the crimes are very different.
In conclusion, modern law has evolved significantly, with the death penalty abolished in many places. However, I believe that it can sometimes be unjust, as sentences are not always equitable.