... Short Cuts For Learning Spanish, "Legal Language" ...
by Christopher Howard M.A.
Author of The New Golden Door Door to
Retirement and Living in Costa Rica
If you plan to reside or do business in Costa Rica, sooner or later
you will require the services of a lawyer to handle legal matters which
can range from immigration problems to even a lawsuit. It is very important
to choose a bilingual attorney if your Spanish is not up to par. Even
if you have a bilingual attorney you will still be confused by the many
Spanish legal terms which you will encounter.
Learning the vocabulary below is an important Spanish survival skill.
fallo - ruling
comparecencia - appearance in court
el tribunal - court
el tribunal de apelación - court of appeals
tribunal inferior - lower court
tribunal superior - higher court
audiencia - hearing
la corte - court
admitir - admit (evidence)
acusación - accusation
denuncia - accusation
testificar contra/declarar contra - testify against
testificar a favor de/ declarar - testify for
a favor de
testigo - witness
testigo ocular - eye witness
testigo falso - false witness
fianza - bail
pelear - fight a case
caso - case
abogado - lawyer
papel sellado - legal paper
multa - fine
defender - to defend
juzgar - to try a case or person
juicio - trial
culpable - guilty
inocente - innocent
el jurado - jury
el estrado - the stand
juez - judge
sentencia - sentence
pleito/demanda - lawsuit
custodia - custody
pensión alimenticia - alimony/support
procurador - prosecutor
veredicto - verdict
testamento - will
dueño - owner
propiedad - property
citación - summons
fraude - fraud
estafa - swindle
desfalco - embezzlement
El Colegio de Abogados - bar (lawyer's association).
Christopher Howard M.A. is the author of "The New Golden Door Door to
Retirement and Living in Costa Rica," He is also a paid consultant for
National Geographic in Costa Rica. For more information call 800-365-2342,
access: www.costaricabooks.com or www.publishingonline.com to directly
download his books from the Internet. Mr. Howard also conducts monthly
one-of-a-kind exploratory trips for those wanting to live in Costa Rica
Please call toll-free 800-493-8426, e-mail: crbooks@racsa.co.cr or tico@gate.net. Contact them to see how your can win a FREE round-trip
ticket to Costa Rica on one of their tours. Mr. Howard also works as a paid
consultant for newcomers and those thinking of investing or going into
business. For a listing of his services see: www. liveincostarica.com.
Anyone needing assistance may contact him directly at: crbooks@racsa.co.cr. |
