Crime and Punishment - English for Police

This page from our English for Police section covers language police need when talking about
crimes and punishments in an English-speaking context.

A crime is a serious offence such as murder or robbery. A punishment is a penalty imposed on

somebody who is convicted of a crime. A punishment could be, for example, time in prison or a
fine.

There is an important difference between criminal law and civil law. Criminal law deals with
matters such as robbery or murder for which people can go to jail. Civil law deals with matters
such as business contracts or divorce. The police are not normally involved in civil law.

Example Sentences

Questions from law-breakers or suspected criminals

Why did you pull me over?

Have I done something wrong?

Is this illegal?

What are my rights?

Can I call a lawyer?

Where are you taking me?

Can I make a phone call?

Questions police may ask a suspected criminal

Are you carrying any illegal drugs?

Do you have a weapon?

Does this belong to you?

Whose car is this?

Where were you at eight last night?

Informing someone of laws and police procedures

You are under arrest.

Put your hands on your head.

 I am taking you to the police station.

Please get in the police car.

You will have to pay a fine for this.

I will give you a warning this time.

I'm going to write you a ticket.

We'll tow your car to the station.

Smoking in restaurants is illegal in this country.

It is against the law to do drugs in public.

Types of crime

crime definition

abduction/ kidnapping taking a person to a secret location using force

armed robbery using a weapon to steal

arson setting fire to a place on purpose

assault hurting another person physically

attempted murder trying to kill someone (but failing)

burglary,

breaking and entering going into another person's home or business with force

child abuse injuring a child on purpose

domestic violence physical assault that occur within the home

drug trafficking trading illegal drugs

drunk driving driving after having too much alcohol

fraud lying or cheating for business or monetary purposes

hijacking holding people in transit hostage (usually on a plane)

murder/ homicide taking someone's life through violence

shoplifting stealing merchandise from a store

smuggling bringing products into a country secretly and illegally

speeding driving beyond the speed limit

terrorism acts of crime against a group (political/religious) or another

country

theft stealing
torture extremely cruel and unfair treatment (often towards prisoners)

vandalism damaging public or private property (for example with spray

paint)

white collar crime breaking the law in business

Types of punishment

punishment

(example offence) definition

traffic ticket (speeding, parking) leaves marks on driving record/involves paying a fine

license suspension (drunk driving) driving rights are removed for a certain period of time

fine (hunting out of season) pay money as punishment for minor/petty crime

house arrest

(a young offender who is waiting to go to court)

remain in one's home for a certain period of time

community service

(a youth that steals a car for the first time) do volunteer work such as teaching children
about crime or cleaning up garbage

jail time

(man who assaults his wife) spend a certain amount of months or years locked
away from society

life in prison

(a woman who commits homicide) spend the rest of one's life in prison with no chance of
going back into society