This page lists common Spanish court vocabulary to help you communicate in legal settings.
Judges and Court Officials
Here are the key terms for judges, lawyers, and other court officials in Spanish.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| juez / jueza | jueces / juezas | judge | judges | El juez dictó la sentencia. | The judge ruled the sentence. |
| abogado / abogada | abogados / abogadas | lawyer | lawyers | La abogada defendió al acusado. | The lawyer defended the defendant. |
| fiscal | fiscales | prosecutor | prosecutors | El fiscal presentó las pruebas. | The prosecutor presented the evidence. |
| secretario / secretaria | secretarios / secretarias | court clerk | court clerks | La secretaria registró el caso. | The clerk recorded the case. |
| juez de paz | jueces de paz | magistrate | magistrates | El juez de paz intervino en el conflicto. | The magistrate intervened in the dispute. |
Types of Cases
These are common types of legal cases you may encounter in court vocabulary.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| caso penal | casos penales | criminal case | criminal cases | El caso penal duró seis meses. | The criminal case lasted six months. |
| caso civil | casos civiles | civil case | civil cases | El caso civil se resolvió fuera de la corte. | The civil case was settled out of court. |
| caso de familia | casos de familia | family case | family cases | El caso de familia involucró la custodia de los hijos. | The family case involved child custody. |
| caso laboral | casos laborales | labor case | labor cases | El caso laboral fue por despido injustificado. | The labor case was for unfair dismissal. |
| caso de apelación | casos de apelación | appeal case | appeal cases | Presentaron un caso de apelación. | They filed an appeal case. |
Legal Proceedings
These terms describe different stages and actions in the legal process.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| juicio | juicios | trial | trials | El juicio comenzó ayer. | The trial started yesterday. |
| audiencia | audiencias | hearing | hearings | Hay una audiencia mañana. | There is a hearing tomorrow. |
| sentencia | sentencias | verdict / sentence | verdicts / sentences | La sentencia fue condenatoria. | The verdict was guilty. |
| apelación | apelaciones | appeal | appeals | Presentaron una apelación. | They filed an appeal. |
| mediación | mediaciones | mediation | mediations | La mediación evitó el juicio. | Mediation avoided the trial. |
The _____ was guilty. (Use the singular form in Spanish)
La sentencia fue condenatoria.
“Sentencia” means verdict or sentence. A "condenatoria" sentence means the defendant was found guilty.
Courtroom Vocabulary
These are common objects and places you will find in a courtroom.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sala de audiencias | salas de audiencias | courtroom | courtrooms | Entraron a la sala de audiencias. | They entered the courtroom. |
| estrado | estrados | witness stand | witness stands | El testigo subió al estrado. | The witness took the stand. |
| juez | jueces | judge | judges | El juez presidió el juicio. | The judge presided over the trial. |
| testimonio | testimonios | testimony | testimonies | Su testimonio fue clave. | His testimony was key. |
| jurado | jurados | jury member | jury members | El jurado deliberó por dos horas. | The jury deliberated for two hours. |
His _____ was key. (Use the singular form in Spanish)
Su testimonio fue clave.
“Testimonio” refers to testimony, the spoken evidence given by a witness.
Common Legal Actions and Terms
Here are some frequently used verbs and nouns in legal contexts.
| Spanish Singular | Spanish Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| demandar | N/A | to sue | N/A | Decidió demandar a la empresa. | He decided to sue the company. |
| acusar | N/A | to accuse | N/A | Acusaron al sospechoso de robo. | They accused the suspect of theft. |
| declarar | N/A | to testify | N/A | Ella declaró en el juicio. | She testified at the trial. |
| defender | N/A | to defend | N/A | El abogado defendió al acusado. | The lawyer defended the defendant. |
| condenar | N/A | to sentence | N/A | Fue condenado a cinco años de prisión. | He was sentenced to five years in prison. |
This collection of court vocabulary in Spanish will help you navigate legal conversations with greater confidence.
He decided to _____ the company. (Use the infinitive form in Spanish)
Decidió demandar a la empresa.
“Demandar” means to sue. It involves taking legal action against someone or an organization.
Flashcards (1 of 25)
- English Singular: judge
- English Plural: judges
- English Example: The judge ruled the sentence.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
