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Criminal Law & Justice vocabulary · Police Investigation & Arrest

Suspect

Meaning in criminal law & justice, with examples

/ˈsʌspekt/nounCore term

In criminal law & justice, suspect means: A person whom the police believe may have committed a crime but who has not yet been charged or found guilty.

In Turkish: şüpheli, zanlı

How it is used

Used by police and the media throughout an investigation: 'the main suspect', 'a suspect was arrested', 'police are looking for two suspects'. Once formally charged, the person is called the accused or, in court, the defendant. The verb 'suspect' means to believe someone may be guilty.

Example sentences

  1. Police have released a photo of the suspect and asked the public for help.

  2. Two suspects were taken to the station for questioning.

  3. The officer suspected that the driver had been drinking.

Common collocations

  • main suspect
  • prime suspect
  • arrest a suspect
  • identify a suspect
  • murder suspect
  • arrestTo take a person into police control using legal powers, usually because they are suspected of a crime; the noun 'arrest' names this act.
  • defendantThe person who has been charged with a crime and is being tried in court; in a civil case, the person who is being sued.
  • investigationThe process in which police or prosecutors collect facts and evidence to find out whether a crime was committed and who committed it.
  • interrogationThe formal and often long questioning of a suspect by the police or other officials in order to get information or a confession.
  • custodyThe state of being held by the police or kept in prison, for example after an arrest or while waiting for trial.

More terms: Police Investigation & Arrest

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