Okuzeka
Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Evidence & Forensics

Alibi

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈæləbaɪ/nounCommon term

In criminal law & justice, alibi means: Evidence or a claim that a person was somewhere else when the crime happened, so they could not have committed it.

In Turkish: alibi, suç anında başka yerde bulunduğu iddiası

How it is used

Suspects 'have', 'provide' or 'give' an alibi; police 'check' it, and it can be 'confirmed', 'solid' or 'false'. Defence teams often support an alibi with witnesses, receipts, phone data or CCTV.

Example sentences

  1. His alibi was confirmed by two colleagues who were with him at dinner.

  2. Police found that her alibi was false.

  3. Does he have an alibi for the night of the fire?

Common collocations

  • have an alibi
  • provide an alibi
  • check an alibi
  • solid alibi
  • false alibi
  • evidenceInformation, objects, documents or testimony that a court can use to decide whether something is true, for example whether the defendant committed the crime.
  • witnessA person who saw or heard something connected with a crime, or who gives information about it in court.
  • CCTVClosed-circuit television: a system of video cameras that record public or private places and is often used as evidence in criminal cases.
  • defenceThe side in a criminal trial that represents the defendant; also a legal reason that can free a defendant from liability, such as self-defence.
  • suspectA person whom the police believe may have committed a crime but who has not yet been charged or found guilty.

More terms: Evidence & Forensics

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.