| No. | Item | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | a slap on the wrist | a mild punishment |
| 2. | above board | honest and legal |
| 3. | above the law | not subject to rules or punishment |
| 4. | ambulance chaser | lawyer seeking easy injury cases |
| 5. | beat the rap | avoid punishment for a crime |
| 6. | beyond a reasonable doubt | with very strong proof |
| 7. | black and white | clear and definite; not debatable |
| 8. | break the law | do something illegal |
| 9. | bring to justice | make someone face legal punishment |
| 10. | by the book | following rules exactly |
| 11. | caught between two stools | stuck between two choices |
| 12. | caught in the crossfire | hurt by others’ conflict |
| 13. | caught napping | caught off guard |
| 14. | caught on the hop | surprised suddenly |
| 15. | caught out | found doing something wrong |
| 16. | caught red-handed | caught in the act |
| 17. | caught short | left without enough |
| 18. | caught up in | involved unintentionally |
| 19. | caught with your pants down | caught unprepared or exposed |
| 20. | crime doesn’t pay | wrongdoing brings no lasting gain |
| 21. | day in court | chance to present your case |
| 22. | do the crime, do the time | face consequences for wrongdoing |
| 23. | double jeopardy | tried twice for same offense |
| 24. | drop the charges | stop prosecuting a case |
| 25. | due process | fair legal procedures must be followed |
| 26. | evidence speaks for itself | facts are obvious without explanation |
| 27. | exhibit A | main piece of evidence |
| 28. | face the music | accept punishment or criticism |
| 29. | fair and square | honestly and without cheating |
| 30. | fall from grace | lose respect after wrongdoing |
| 31. | fast and loose | act irresponsibly or dishonestly |
| 32. | feather your nest | profit dishonestly from a position |
| 33. | finders keepers | claim ownership by finding it |
| 34. | fit the crime | be appropriate for the offense |
| 35. | force majeure | uncontrollable event excusing obligations |
| 36. | get away with murder | escape punishment for wrongdoing |
| 37. | get off scot-free | escape punishment entirely |
| 38. | get your just deserts | receive deserved punishment |
| 39. | give someone a pass | not punish a mistake |
| 40. | go on trial | be judged in court |
| 41. | guilty as charged | clearly guilty of the accusation |
| 42. | hang by a thread | be in great danger |
| 43. | hang someone out to dry | abandon someone to take blame |
| 44. | have a case | have valid grounds to sue |
| 45. | have a leg to stand on | have a valid argument |
| 46. | hold court | dominate attention like a judge |
| 47. | hung jury | jury cannot reach a verdict |
| 48. | in cold blood | without emotion or mercy |
| 49. | in the clear | free from suspicion or blame |
| 50. | in the hot seat | under pressure and scrutiny |
| 51. | innocent until proven guilty | assumed not guilty at first |
| 52. | judge, jury, executioner | act as sole decider and punisher |
| 53. | jump bail | fail to appear in court |
| 54. | kangaroo court | unfair, biased trial |
| 55. | keep your nose clean | stay out of trouble |
| 56. | lay it on the line | state the truth plainly |
| 57. | legal eagle | a very skilled lawyer |
| 58. | let off the hook | release from responsibility or blame |
| 59. | make a clean breast | confess fully and honestly |
| 60. | make a federal case | treat something as very serious |
| 61. | make a killing | earn a lot of money |
| 62. | make an example of | punish to warn others |
| 63. | make restitution | pay back for harm done |
| 64. | no contest | not admitting guilt, not fighting |
| 65. | open-and-shut case | very easy to decide |
| 66. | out on bail | released after paying security |
| 67. | pay the piper | face consequences of actions |
| 68. | plead ignorance | claim you did not know |
| 69. | plead the fifth | refuse to answer to self-protect |
| 70. | possession is nine-tenths | ownership favors the holder |
| 71. | put on notice | formally warn someone |
| 72. | read someone their rights | inform an arrested person of rights |
| 73. | rest my case | I’m done arguing; proof is enough |
| 74. | serve time | spend time in prison |
| 75. | signed, sealed, delivered | fully finalized and official |
| 76. | statute of limitations | legal time limit to sue or charge |
| 77. | take the law into your hands | act as your own judge |
| 78. | the court of public opinion | what people think publicly |
| 79. | the law is an ass | law can be foolish |
| 80. | the law of the jungle | might makes right |
| 81. | the letter of the law | the exact wording of rules |
| 82. | the spirit of the law | the intended meaning of rules |
| 83. | throw the book at | punish as harshly as possible |
| 84. | under oath | promising legally to tell truth |
| 85. | up in arms | angry and ready to protest |
| 86. | up the creek | in serious trouble; stuck |
| 87. | up to no good | doing something dishonest or wrong |
| 88. | up to scratch | meeting the required standard |
| 89. | use your discretion | decide using your own judgment |
| 90. | walk free | leave without punishment |
| 91. | wash your hands of | refuse further responsibility for |
| 92. | watch your step | be careful to avoid trouble |
| 93. | wear the blame | be held responsible for wrongdoing |
| 94. | with prejudice | permanently; cannot be filed again |
| 95. | within your rights | allowed to do it legally |
| 96. | you can’t fight City Hall | powerful authorities usually win |
| 97. | your days are numbered | you will soon be finished |
| 98. | your hands are tied | you cannot act freely |
| 99. | your word is your bond | a promise must be kept |
| 100. | zero tolerance | no exceptions will be allowed |