The justice system
Vocabulary
- o tribunalthe court
- o juizthe judge
- o advogadothe lawyer
- o réuthe defendant
- a testemunhathe witness
- a sentençathe sentence
- o julgamentothe trial
- a provathe evidence
- o recursothe appeal
- a penathe penalty/sentence
The Judicial System in Portuguese
Understanding the Portuguese judicial system requires specific legal vocabulary and formal structures.
Court Hierarchy
- Tribunal de primeira instância — Court of first instance
- Tribunal da Relação — Court of Appeal
- Supremo Tribunal de Justiça — Supreme Court of Justice
Passive Voice in Legal Contexts
Legal Portuguese frequently uses the passive:
- *O réu foi condenado a dois anos de prisão.* — The defendant was sentenced to two years in prison.
- *A sentença será proferida amanhã.* — The sentence will be delivered tomorrow.
- *As provas foram apresentadas pelo advogado.* — The evidence was presented by the lawyer.
Legal Process Vocabulary
- *O advogado interpôs recurso.* — The lawyer filed an appeal.
- *A testemunha prestou depoimento.* — The witness gave testimony.
- *O juiz absolveu o réu.* — The judge acquitted the defendant.
Expressing Legal Concepts
- *O réu é presumido inocente até prova em contrário.* — The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
- *Tem direito a um advogado oficioso.* — You have the right to a court-appointed lawyer.
Expressions
- Prestar depoimentoTo give testimony
- Interpor recursoTo file an appeal
- Ser condenado aTo be sentenced to
- Presumido inocentePresumed innocent
- Proferir uma sentençaTo deliver a sentence
Common mistakes
O réu foi condenado por dois anos de prisão.O réu foi condenado a dois anos de prisão.'Condenado a' + sentence, not 'condenado por'. 'Por' introduces the agent, 'a' introduces the penalty.
O advogado interpôs um recurso.O advogado interpôs recurso.'Interpor recurso' is a fixed legal expression — no article needed.
A testemunha prestou o depoimento.A testemunha prestou depoimento.'Prestar depoimento' is a fixed expression — no article before 'depoimento'.
O juiz absolveu ao réu.O juiz absolveu o réu.'Absolver' takes a direct object — no preposition 'a' needed.
Ele tem direito de um advogado.Ele tem direito a um advogado.'Ter direito a' + noun, not 'ter direito de'.
Quick quiz
Question 1 of 5
How do you say “the appeal” in Portuguese?
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