Collocations Criminal justice

Breaking the law

be investigated/arrested/tried for a crime/a robbery/fraud

be arrested/ (especially North American English) indicted/convicted on charges of rape/fraud/(especially US English) felony charges

be arrested on suspicion of arson/robbery/shoplifting

be accused of/be charged with murder/(especially North American English) homicide/four counts of fraud

face two charges of indecent assault

admit your guilt/liability/responsibility (for something)

deny the allegations/claims/charges

confess to a crime

The legal process

stand/await/bring somebody to/come to/be on trial

take somebody to/come to/settle something out of court

face/avoid/escape prosecution

seek/retain/have the right to/be denied access to legal counsel

plead guilty/not guilty to a crime

be called to/enter (British English) the witness box

take/put somebody on the stand/(North American English) the witness stand

give/hear the evidence against/on behalf of somebody

reach a unanimous/majority verdict

return/deliver/record a verdict of not guilty/unlawful killing/accidental death

convict/acquit the defendant of the crime

secure a conviction/your acquittal

appeal (against)/challenge/uphold/overturn a conviction/verdict

Sentencing and punishment

pass sentence on somebody

carry/face/serve a seven-year/life sentence

receive/be given the death penalty

be sentenced to ten years (in prison/jail)

carry/impose/pay a fine (of $3 000)/a penalty (of 14 years imprisonment)

be imprisoned/jailed for drug possession/fraud/murder

do/serve time/ten years

be sent to/put somebody in/be released from jail/prison

be/put somebody/spend X years on death row

be granted/be denied/]break] (your) parole