prosecute

Definition

To bring criminal charges against someone and pursue them through the justice system until conviction or acquittal. The government's official way of saying "we think you're guilty and we're going to prove it." Requires actual evidence, unlike TV shows where hunches and dramatic music suffice.

Example Usage

The district attorney decided to prosecute the case despite the circumstantial nature of the evidence.

Source: Criminal law terminology

Related Terms

Advanced

assuage

To soften the blow of something unpleasant, like applying verbal aloe to a legal burn. Lawyers use this fancy term when they want to sound sophisticated while basically saying 'make it hurt less.' It's the art of mitigation dressed up in a three-piece suit.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

reparation

Payment or compensation for past wrongs, usually involving significant amounts of money, effort, or public apologies. The historical and legal concept of making amends, scaled up from personal apologies to international treaties. Can range from war reparations between nations to your ex trying to make up for that thing they did in 2019.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

negligent

The legal term for "you should have known better and now you're liable for it," describing someone who failed to exercise reasonable care and caused harm as a result. It's the sweet spot between accidentally harmful and intentionally malicious—you didn't mean to do it, but you definitely should have seen it coming. The foundation of countless lawsuits and the reason warning labels exist on everything including coffee.

⚖️ Legal

Intermediate

subpoena duces tecum

A subpoena requiring someone to bring specific documents or evidence to court, Latin for 'bring your receipts.' The legal system's way of demanding 'pics or it didn't happen.'

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

acquiescence

Passive acceptance or silent agreement to something, often implying you're not thrilled about it but won't actively oppose it either. In legal terms, it's when your failure to object or take action implies you've abandoned your rights. Think of it as the legal equivalent of shrugging and moving on—except it can cost you your claim later.

⚖️ Legal

Advanced

tortious

The adjective form of "tort" that describes behavior so wrongful it's civil-suit-worthy, but not quite criminal—think negligent, not nefarious. This legalistic term helps lawyers distinguish between actions that land you in civil court versus criminal court, which is the difference between writing a check and wearing an orange jumpsuit. If someone's conduct is tortious, they're about to get sued, not arrested.

⚖️ Legal

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