Law vocabulary in Spanish covering essential terms and concepts used in legal contexts, including parties, procedures, and key institutions.
Building a solid vocabulary in Spanish legal terminology is essential for understanding, discussing, or working within the realm of law. This guide introduces foundational law-related words and phrases, organized into categories that reflect common elements of legal systems around the world.
Legal Roles
Understanding the titles of key players in the legal system is the first step in navigating any law-related conversation.
| Spanish Role | English Role | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| abogado / abogada | lawyer / attorney | La abogada preparó el caso. | The lawyer prepared the case. |
| juez / jueza | judge | El juez dictó la sentencia. | The judge issued the verdict. |
| fiscal | prosecutor | El fiscal presentó las pruebas. | The prosecutor presented the evidence. |
| acusado / acusada | defendant | La acusada negó los cargos. | The defendant denied the charges. |
| testigo | witness | El testigo declaró en el juicio. | The witness testified at the trial. |
| secretario / secretaria | court clerk | La secretaria organizó los documentos. | The clerk organized the documents. |
| jurado | jury | El jurado deliberó toda la noche. | The jury deliberated all night. |
| demandante | plaintiff | El demandante solicitó una indemnización. | The plaintiff requested compensation. |
| mediador / mediadora | mediator | El mediador facilitó el acuerdo. | The mediator facilitated the settlement. |
| notario / notaria | notary | El notario certificó el documento. | The notary certified the document. |
El ___ presentó las pruebas.
What is the Spanish word for 'prosecutor'?
fiscal
'Fiscal' is the Spanish word for 'prosecutor,' the person who presents evidence against the defendant.
Legal Documents
Familiarity with common legal documents helps in understanding procedures and completing paperwork accurately.
| Spanish Documento | English Document | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| contrato | contract | Firmamos un contrato de alquiler. | We signed a rental contract. |
| demanda | lawsuit / complaint | Presentaron una demanda por despido injusto. | They filed a lawsuit for unfair dismissal. |
| sentencia | verdict / ruling | La sentencia fue apelada. | The verdict was appealed. |
| testamento | will | Redactó su testamento antes de viajar. | He drew up his will before traveling. |
| escrito | legal brief / written statement | El abogado entregó el escrito al juez. | The lawyer submitted the brief to the judge. |
| acta | minutes / record | El acta del juicio está disponible. | The trial record is available. |
| apelación | appeal | Interpusieron una apelación ante la Corte. | They filed an appeal with the Court. |
| citación | summons / subpoena | Recibió una citación para testificar. | He received a summons to testify. |
| poder | power of attorney | Le otorgó un poder notarial. | She granted a power of attorney. |
| acuerdo | settlement / agreement | Llegaron a un acuerdo fuera del tribunal. | They reached a settlement outside the court. |
Redactó su ___ antes de viajar.
What is the Spanish word for 'will'?
testamento
'Testamento' means 'will' in Spanish. The sentence means 'He drew up his will before traveling.'
Legal Concepts
These fundamental concepts appear frequently in legal discussions and documents.
| Spanish Concepto | English Concept | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ley | law | La ley protege los derechos laborales. | The law protects workers’ rights. |
| justicia | justice | Buscamos justicia para las víctimas. | We seek justice for the victims. |
| delito | crime / offense | El robo es un delito grave. | Theft is a serious crime. |
| juicio | trial | El juicio comenzará la próxima semana. | The trial will start next week. |
| sentencia | sentence / judgment | Cumplirá una sentencia de cinco años. | He will serve a five-year sentence. |
| prueba | evidence | La prueba es concluyente. | The evidence is conclusive. |
| culpable | guilty | El acusado fue declarado culpable. | The defendant was found guilty. |
| inocente | innocent | Se declaró inocente de los cargos. | He pleaded innocent to the charges. |
| apelación | appeal | Presentaron una apelación inmediata. | They filed an immediate appeal. |
| absolución | acquittal | El jurado emitió una absolución. | The jury issued an acquittal. |
Courtroom Vocabulary
These are the key terms you’ll hear and see during court proceedings.
| Spanish Término | English Term | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sala | courtroom | La audiencia fue en la sala cinco. | The hearing was in courtroom five. |
| juez | judge | El juez escuchó todos los argumentos. | The judge heard all the arguments. |
| defensa | defense | La defensa presentó nuevas pruebas. | The defense presented new evidence. |
| fiscalía | prosecution | La fiscalía solicitó cadena perpetua. | The prosecution requested life imprisonment. |
| testimonio | testimony | Su testimonio fue clave para el veredicto. | His testimony was key to the verdict. |
| alegato | argument / plea | El abogado finalizó con un alegato emotivo. | The lawyer concluded with an emotional plea. |
| jurado | jury | El jurado deliberó por tres horas. | The jury deliberated for three hours. |
| perito | expert witness | El perito explicó los resultados científicos. | The expert witness explained the scientific results. |
| audiencia | hearing | La audiencia fue pública y televisada. | The hearing was public and televised. |
| veredicto | verdict | El veredicto sorprendió a todos. | The verdict surprised everyone. |
Legal Procedures
Describing processes from filing to resolution, these terms map out the path of a legal case.
| Spanish Procedimiento | English Procedure | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| presentar | to file / submit | Presentaron la demanda ayer. | They filed the lawsuit yesterday. |
| interponer | to file / lodge | Interpusieron una apelación. | They lodged an appeal. |
| dictar | to issue / pronounce | El juez dictó la sentencia. | The judge issued the ruling. |
| absolver | to acquit / absolve | El tribunal lo absolvió de los cargos. | The court acquitted him of the charges. |
| condenar | to convict / sentence | Fue condenado a diez años de prisión. | He was sentenced to ten years in prison. |
| testificar | to testify | El testigo testificó por dos horas. | The witness testified for two hours. |
| declarar | to declare / testify | Se declaró inocente ante el juez. | He declared himself innocent before the judge. |
| apelar | to appeal | Van a apelar la decisión. | They are going to appeal the decision. |
| juzgar | to try / judge | El caso será juzgado en junio. | The case will be tried in June. |
| mediar | to mediate | Un tercero medió el conflicto. | a third party mediated the conflict. |
Legal Institutions
Know the names of places where legal work happens and decisions are made.
| Spanish Institución | English Institution | Spanish Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| tribunal | court | El caso llegó al tribunal supremo. | The case reached the supreme court. |
| juzgado | courthouse / court | El juzgado de primera instancia falló a favor. | The trial court ruled in favor. |
| fiscalía | prosecutor’s office | La fiscalía presentó cargos formales. | The prosecutor’s office filed formal charges. |
| defensoría | public defender’s office | La defensoría asignó un abogado gratuito. | The public defender’s office assigned a free lawyer. |
| poder judicial | judiciary | El poder judicial es independiente. | The judiciary is independent. |
| ministerio de justicia | ministry of justice | El Ministerio de Justicia aprobó la reforma. | The Ministry of Justice approved the reform. |
| corte suprema | supreme court | La corte suprema anuló la ley. | The supreme court annulled the law. |
| notaría | notary office | Firmamos el acuerdo en la notaría. | We signed the agreement at the notary office. |
| fiscal general | attorney general’s office | El fiscal general abrió una investigación. | The attorney general opened an investigation. |
| oficina de mediación | mediation office | La oficina de mediación resolvió el conflicto rápidamente. | The mediation office quickly resolved the conflict. |
La ___ asignó un abogado gratuito.
What is the Spanish word for 'public defender’s office'?
defensoría
'Defensoría' is the public defender’s office that provides legal defense to those who cannot afford a lawyer.
Summary
Building law vocabulary in Spanish involves learning the roles, documents, concepts, courtroom terms, procedures, and institutions that make up the legal system. This foundational glossary provides the key terms you need to understand and engage with legal topics confidently.
Flashcards (1 of 60)
- English Role: lawyer / attorney
- English Example: The lawyer prepared the case.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
