Looking up...
abogado defensor
/a.βoˈɣa.ðo de.fenˈsoɾ/
defense lawyer
El abogado defensor presentó nuevas pruebas en el juicio.
The defense lawyer presented new evidence in the trial.
Law
formal
A lawyer who represents and defends a client in a legal case, particularly in criminal proceedings.
El abogado defensor logró que el tribunal redujera la condena de su cliente.
The defense lawyer succeeded in getting the court to reduce his client's sentence.
Según el código penal, todo acusado tiene derecho a un abogado defensor.
According to the penal code, every defendant has the right to a defense lawyer.
In Spanish-speaking legal systems, 'abogado defensor' specifically refers to the lawyer representing the defendant, as opposed to the prosecutor ('fiscal') who represents the state.
Collocations
abogado defensor públicopublic defenderdesignar un abogado defensorto appoint a defense lawyerabogado defensor de oficiocourt-appointed defense lawyer
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Legal Terminology
Remember that 'abogado defensor' is specific to criminal law. In civil cases, the equivalent is 'abogado de la parte demandada' (lawyer for the defendant).
Gold Rule
Context Matters
The term 'abogado defensor' always implies a lawyer acting in a defensive role, never as a plaintiff or prosecutor.
Word Origin
The term combines 'abogado' (from Latin 'advocatus', meaning 'one called to aid') and 'defensor' (from Latin 'defensor', meaning 'protector' or 'defender'). Both words entered Spanish through Latin legal terminology during the Middle Ages.
Usage Notes
In formal legal contexts, 'abogado defensor' is preferred over 'abogado de la defensa' for clarity. In some Latin American countries, 'defensor público' is used for public defenders.
Word Breakdown
abogado
lawyer
rootdefensor
defender
rootDiccionario Español-Inglés