Just Mercy Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions from Just Mercy.

Litigation

a legal proceeding in a court

Punitive

inflicting punishment

Exonerated / Exoneration

pronounced not guilty of criminal charges

Subpoena

A written document requiring someone to appear in court

Condemned

pronounced guilty and sentenced to punishment (especially sentenced to death)

Clemency

mercy, as toward an offender or enemy; leniency

Prohibition / Prohibited

the action of forbidding something, especially by law.

Allegation

a claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.

Incriminating

make (someone) appear guilty of a crime or wrongdoing; strongly imply the guilt of (someone)

Coerced

persuade (an unwilling person) to do something by using force or threats.

Incarceration / Incarcerated

confinement in a jail or prison

Recant / Recantation

to withdraw or repudiate a statement or belief formally and publicly

Implicated / Implicates

to show to be involved or connected with an activity, especially a crime

Adjudicated

to hear and settle a legal case

Perjury

the crime of deliberately making a false statement while under oath.