commit a crime
dambi samee
to break the law
EXAMPLE: The thief committed a crime when he stole my purse.
guilty
dambiile
having broken the law
EXAMPLE: The man broke the law. He is guilty.
defendant
eedaysanaha
the person in court who is accused of a crime
EXAMPLE: The defendant is the person who may have committed a crime. We don't know yet if he is guilty.
juror
garsooraha
a member of a jury who will decide if someone is guilty or innocent
EXAMPLE: The twelve jurors will decide if the woman is guilty or innocent.
prosecution
dacwad soo oogista
the lawyers who want to prove that the man is guilty
EXAMPLE: The prosecution presented evidence that showed the man was guilty.
convict someone of a crime
xukuntid qof danbi galay
to decide that a person is guilty of committing a crime
EXAMPLE: After listening to all of the evidence, the jury decided the woman was guilty. They convicted her of the crime.
criminal justice system
nidaamka cadaaladda dembiyada
the system in a society by which people who are accused of crimes are judged in court
EXAMPLE: The criminal justice system is the way our country catches, punishes, and helps people who break the law.
defense
difaaca
the team of lawyers who help the defendant
EXAMPLE: The defense showed the jury lots of evidence. The defense was trying to prove that the defendant was not guilty.
democracy
democratic
(noun) dimuqraadiyadda
(adjective) dimoqraadi ah
A country where the people decide who their leaders are by voting.
EXAMPLE: The United States is a democracy. Every 4 years the people elect the president. Many other countries are also democratic.
equal
isla'eg
the same in importance and deserving the same treatment
EXAMPLE: All people are equal. They have the same rights under the law.
impartial
eex la'aan ah
open-minded, not deciding in advance
EXAMPLE: Jurors must be impartial. Jurors must believe that the defendant is not guilty when the trial starts. If a juror believes the defendant is guilty before hearing the evidence, that juror is not impartial.
innocence
innocent
(noun) embi la'aan
(adjective) aan dambi lahayn
not guilty of a crime
EXAMPLE: I did not commit a crime. I am innocent. There will be a trial, and I will show my innocence by giving evidence.
instruct
waxbarid
to give directions in a formal way
EXAMPLE: At a trial, the judge will instruct the jury. She will tell the jurors not to talk to any friends or family members about the case.
jury duty
xeerbeegtida
a period of time when a person is a member of a jury
EXAMPLE: I had jury duty last week.
jury selection
xulashada xeerbeegtida
when the jurors are chosen to serve on a jury
EXAMPLE: Jury selection took all day. After asking lots of questions, the lawyers finally chose people to serve on the jury.
jury
xeerbeegtida
A group of people who are chosen to listen to evidence in a trial. They decide if a person is guilty or not guilty.
EXAMPLE: The jury was made up of 12 people. They listened to the evidence and decided the defendant was not guilty.
reach a verdict
go'aan gaadho
to decide if the defendant is guilty or not guilty
EXAMPLE: After the jury discussed all of the evidence, the judge asked them if they had reached a verdict. The jury said, "Yes. Not guilty."
ruler
taliye
the people in charge
EXAMPLE: In the United States, people elect their rulers. They vote for their senators, representatives, and president.
serve on a jury
u adeega xeerbeegtida
to be a member of a jury
EXAMPLE: Last week, I served on a jury. I heard many interesting things and learned a lot.
suitable
ku habbooon
being right or correct for a particular situation or person
EXAMPLE: I have to serve on a jury. Do you think that this outfit is suitable for me to wear to court?
summon
u yeerid
to order someone to come
EXAMPLE: I received a letter from the court. It summoned me to appear on February 3 for jury selection. I have to go.
the media
warbaahinta
the internet, newspapers, magazines, television, all considered as a group
EXAMPLE: The media is very powerful. It affects what we believe to be true.
unanimous
loo dhan yahay
everyone agrees
EXAMPLE: Sometimes a jury's decision has to be unanimous. All twelve members of the jury have to agree on the verdict.