fault
n. responsibility for a bad situation or event
not a legal term, see liability
  It was John's fault that we were late. He forgot to bring the map.

felony
n. A serious crime for which the punishment is prison for more than a year or death. Crimes of less gravity are called misdemeanors. This term is no longer used in England or other Commonwealth countries but remains a major distinction in the United States.
  In California, "unlawful sexual intercourse" - statutory rape - is defined as sex between an adult and anyone under the age of 18 if the couple isn't married...If the age difference between the adult and the minor is more than three years, the crime may be a felony; if the difference is less, it's a misdemeanor.

 

file
v. to officially give a paper to a court clerk. That paper becomes part of the record of a case.
  She filed her suit for divorce as soon as she heard about her husband's mistress.
  Microsoft Corp. said Tuesday it has filed its appeal of the European Union's landmark antitrust decision.

 

fine
n. The money a person must pay as punishment for doing something illegal or for not doing something they were supposed to do.
   The fine for smoking in restaurants is at least 500 euros, but it doesn't seem to deter people from lighting up.
v. The judge fined the motorist for speeding.

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