Hi, welcome to my criminology glossary. My name is Justine Lauzon, and I have been studying criminology for 3 years. This glossary is for everyone who's already studying in criminology or is interested in this field of study.
Criminology is a little bit like psychology but about criminals. Most of the people who graduated in criminology are now working with criminals, ex-criminals or future criminals. We will all at least once work with someone who don't speak French, so this glossary will help you know about 20 words in English we use casually in our field of study. I used our criminology books to find some terms that I thought would be useful, and I used Google to find the definitions and pictures.
Don't forget to practice the pronunciation of these 20 words, and you should never stop learning new useful terms.
assault
noun
A threat or attempt to inflict offensive physical contact or bodily harm on a person.
Example: He is being arrested for assault on an officer.
en: agression
behaviour
noun
The way in which one acts or conducts oneself, especially toward others.
Example: Her behaviour is unacceptable.
en: comportement
case file
noun
A collection of documents and evidence relating to a particular legal case.
Example: You should look at his case file before having a meeting with him.
en: dossier du cas
child protection
noun
The purpose of this Act is to protect children whose security or development is or may be considered to be in danger.
Example: You should report to child protection the behaviour of these parents.
en: Département de la protection de la jeunesse (DPJ)
drug rehabilitation
noun
Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psycho therapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs.
Example: His state requires drug rehabilitation.
en: cure de désintoxication
felony
noun
A crime, typically one involving violence, regarded as more serious than a misdemeanor, and usually punishable by imprisonment for more than one year or by death.
Example: He has been sentenced to 10 years in prison because of his felony.
en: crime
group home
noun
A home where a small number of unrelated people in need of care, support, or supervision can live together, such as those who are elderly or mentally ill.
Example: She is living in a group home because of her needs.
en: foyer de groupe
guilty plea
noun
A guilty plea means that you accept responsibility for the offense that you have pleaded to. If you enter a guilty plea you will be sentenced by a judge.
Example: The accused made a guilty plea.
en: plaider coupable
harm reduction
noun
Harm reduction is a set of practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing negative consequences associated with drug use.
Example: This organization uses harm reduction with their clients.
en: réduction des méfaits
homeless
noun
An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate residence,
Example: This shelter welcome homeless at any times of the day.
en: sans-abris
illness
noun
A disease or period of sickness affecting the body or mind.
Example: She suffers from an illness that made her stay home every day.
en: maladie
lawyer
noun
A lawyer (also called attorney, counsel, or counselor) is a licensed professional who advises and represents others in legal matters.
Example: We should start to look for a lawyer to represent him.
en: avocat
mental health
noun
A person’s condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being.
Example: This situation is affecting his mental health.
en: santé mentale
misdemeanor
noun
A misdemeanor is considered a crime of lesser seriousness.
Example: She was sentenced for 4 months in prison because of the misdemeanor she did.
en: délit
released
adjective
Allow or unable to escape from confinement; set free.
Example: He is being released from prison tonight.
en: libéré
trial
noun
A formal examination of evidence before a judge, and typically before a jury, in order to decide guilt in a case of criminal or civil proceedings.
Example: I didn't attend his trial where he plead guilty.
en: procès
weapon
noun
Something (as a gun, knife, or club) used to injure, defeat, or destroy.
Example: The guy was found with a weapon on him.
en: arme
withdrawal
noun
The process of ceasing to take an addictive drug.
Example: She is having symptoms of withdrawal.
en: sevrage
witness
noun
A person who sees an event, typically a crime or accident, take place.
Example: You need to talk with the witness of his felony.
en: témoin
youth center
noun
A youth center or youth centre, often called youth club, is a place where young people can meet and participate in a variety of activities
Example: She is staying in a youth center for a while.
