Word Power ANSWERS

1. bailiff (b) court officer.

The bailiff escorted the accused man into the courtroom.

2. indict (c) charge

with a crime. Citing the overwhelming evidence, the grand jury indicted the mobster on three counts of tax fraud.

3. exculpate (c) clear of

blame. I’m not trying to exculpate myself—i admit that I snuck a cookie!

4. affidavit (a) written

declaration. Anthony submitted a sworn affidavit to support his claims.

5. perjury (b) lying under

oath. “Ladies and gentlemen, this woman has committed perjury—you can’t believe anything she says,” the prosecutor began.

6. sequester (c) isolate.

Jurors were sequestered for months during the high-profile trial.

7. remand (a) return

to custody. The defendant has been remanded to prison until her sentencing.

8. docket (b) list of court

cases. “What’s on the Supreme Court’s docket this morning?” asked the reporter.

9. appeal (a) higher

court’s review. After losing the case, the defense team decided not to seek an appeal.

10. deposition (b) testimony. In his deposition, Colonel Mustard claimed that Professor Plum committed the murder.

11. negligent (a) careless. The negligent driver caused a three-car pileup.

12. writ (b) formal document. A search warrant is a type of writ.

13. punitive (c) related

to punishment. “Our teachers use positive reinforcement instead of punitive measures,” explained the principal.

14. lenient (a) merciful.

Colleen hoped the judge would be lenient about her many parking tickets.

15. presume (b) believe

without proof. In the American legal system, people are presumed innocent until proven guilty.