Crime and Punishment Vocabulary for IELTS - Upper Intermediate

Crime and Punishment Vocabulary for IELTS - Upper Intermediate There is a well known book entitled “Crime and Punishment” written by the equally well known Russian author Dostoyevsky. There is also a BBC series of the same name. My post, however, is a little more mundane (common) where I take a look at English crime and punishment vocabulary words and phrases. By the end of this post you will be able to learn, recognise and use some of these useful  English words and expressions related to crime and punishment. Enjoyed this infographic? Here’s what you can do next: Crime and Punishment Vocabulary Words Vocabulary related to CrimeROBBERYa robbery takes place when someone (a robber)  enters a property that is not his/hers and  takes something  (cash,  paintings,  jewellery and other items).A ROBBER (the person)  usually breaks in  (gains access illegally to a building, house office or apartment)  and robs  (the verb to rob)  items as I  have described.Many centuries ago there were “highway Robbers” travelling across England on  horseback where they would rob the stagecoach usually occupied by well off (wealthy) travellers.A  BREAK IN  to our home or office is also referred to as BURGLARY  and the  BURGLAR  is the criminal.MUGGINGThis is where an individual is attacked in the street and robbed of his possessions he is  carrying.  These usually consist of jewellery like rings and watches, cash, credit cards and mobile  phones.The MUGGER  (person who commits the crime)  may or may not use violence. The victim is  then said to haven been MUGGED  or robbed.ASSAULTThis word is usually used to describe when a person is attacked in their home or work place  or in the street by a person referred to as the ASSAILANT. The attack may be an unprovoked attack (not planned or carried out for a particular reason). The reason is not usually to take possessions but  purely to inflict harm or injury on the VICTIM  (the person assaulted).SHOPLIFTINGNot seen as a really serious crime as people are seldom injured, shoplifting is when an  individual deliberately takes something from a shop with out paying for the goods. This is typically  food or clothing that is concealed (hidden)  in a bag or a coat to avoid being detected  (seen) by a  security guard or shop assistant. The SHOPLIFTERS (those carrying out the crime)  are often young  adolescents (teenagers)  but not always.PICKPOCKETINGA well known crime which is highlighted in many old novels. This occurs when  someone unknown to you casually  (in a relaxed way)  is able to steal (take with out your knowledge) a purse or walle t from your coat or pockets whilst standing beside or behind you. This often takesplace in a busy street where people are constantly bumping into each other. The PICKPOCKET (criminal)  mixes with the crowd in shops and train stations trying to identify an unsuspecting  (innocent) victim. Crime and Punishment Vocabulary Words Vocabulary Words related to Crime (continued)MURDERThis is of course the most serious of all crimes. People are regrettably murdered every day.Some people die accidentally in car accidents so they are  KILLED  not murdered.When someone is  murdered it is usually deliberate  (intentional). For example,  shot by an armed robber or attacked in  the street.  However,  if someone dies from an attack but it was not intended to kill that person then  the murderer/killer is likely to be charged with  MANSLAUGHTER  which is a lesser charge.FRAUDThis has been a crime throughout the centuries and usually associated with money or  valuable paintings or jewellery. The  FRAUDSTER  (criminal) attempts to get someone’s money or  valuables. This in the case of a painting can be attempted by trying to replace the original painting with a copy (forgery).Today,  fraud is now a big issue because of internet crimes so people are trying  to find ways to access our personal details and bank accounts on-li ne and rob us without having to  physically break in to our homes or offices.Other crimes include  ARSON  where someone deliberately sets fire to buildings or forestsand  BLACKMAIL  where the criminal (BLACKMAILER)  tries to get money for you in exchange for not divulging  (releasing) very private information that may damage your reputation (personal photo’s or details perhaps of some affair).So there are many ways to describe different types of crime as we have seen: Burglary,  Robbery,  Mugging, Shoplifting but the unfortunate person is usually only referred to as a  victim.  A VICTIM OF CRIME. Vocabulary Words related to PunishmentOnce the criminal is apprehended  (caught by the police)  then the process is often a long one  involving months or years before he/she is brought before the courts, put on trial (in front of a  Judge and a Jury) and if/when found guilty sentenced (what prison term he /she will get)  and sent  to jail.A JURY  is a group of citizens (usually no more than 12 men and women)  who are picked  randomly and listen to the evidence presented and directed  (helped by)  by the judge, decide based  on the evidence they hear whether the accused is guilty of the crime.For lesser crimes like shoplifting and petty crimes  (damage to public property)  the  OFFENDER  (often  youngsters)  may get COMMUNITY SERVICE  (working some hours in the community instead of a prison sentence). This could involve cleaning the streets or painting public property or helping deliver  meals to the elderly.Other criminals can be put on PROBATION (released from prison)  for a period of  months or years. They can live at home and will not go to prison provided they do not carry out any  criminal activity for the probation period. In recent years some countries have introduced ELECTRONIC TAGGING  (a tag like a watch or electronic gadget) of these type of criminals so the police can track  (study)  their movements and they may be restricted from leaving their home between 7  pm in the  evening and 7 am in the morning. Useful sentences and phrases related to Crime and Punishment He was accused of committing a crime. believed to be a suspect responsible for a particular crimeHe was charged with committing the crime. when the evidence clearly shows he carried out the  crimeHe was sent forward for a trial or put on trial. a date is set when he must appear before the Judge  and JuryHe was found guilty. the evidence presented to the Judge and Jury is accepted by the Jury as proof  that he committed the crimeHe is sentenced by the Judge or the Judge passes sentence. the judge announces what the  punishment will be    He will serve his time. judge tells him how long and where he will be kept until releasedHe was acquitted of the charges. found not guilty, insufficient evidenceHe was released on probation. after serving part of his sentence the prisoner is eligible for paroleThe sentence for the crime is quashed  (new evidence comes up)  and following an appeal by his  lawyers he is deemed (believed)  not to have committed the crime and released immediately. You've Got to Pick a Pocket or Two Youve got to pick a pocket or twosong from musical movie Oliver! (1968). The musical is based upon the novel Oliver  Twist by Charles Dickens.Ron Moody acted as Fagin and won Golden Globe as the best actor (comedy/musical) for his role in this movie.