1.

felony

Felonies are no big deal—everybody will commit one at some point in life.

As soon as you leave prison, you are considered a felon.

Convicted felons usually spend time in prison.

2.

restitution

In order to make restitution, the paper published a long apology for the false rumors it had spread.

Restitution is a form of punishment.

Restitution is always made by the victim, not by the offender.

3.

misdemeanor

The defendant breathed a sigh of relief when the charge was reduced to a misdemeanor.

Many states seek the death penalty for misdemeanors.

If you commit a misdemeanor, you play a practical joke on somebody.

4.

embezzle

Thirsty as the hiker was, he embezzled his companion's water bottle and drank all of it.

Unlike break-ins and robberies, embezzlement is considered a "white-collar" crime.

Embezzlers are people who try to bribe government officials.

5.

incarceration

After three drinks, he was too incarcerated to drive a car.

Some followers considered the cult leader the incarceration of God.

Incarceration always means a loss of freedom.

6.

punitive

The students did not expect the principal to take such punitive measures in response to their protest.

He tried to hide his punitive activities behind a show of respectability.

It's totally punitive to wear sneakers with a three-piece suit.

7.

deterrent

I just love the new laundry deterrent—it really gets the stains out.

Experts cannot agree if the death penalty acts as a deterrent against murder or not.

The police offered a deterrent of $1000 to everyone helping to find the murderer.

8.

admonish

I worry that by letting the defendant off the hook, the judge will only admonish her.

Admonish is a synonym for chide.*

To admonish someone means to praise him or her profusely.

9.

penal

A dress code is part of the penal code.

Courthouses are part of the penal system.

When the suspect refused to answer any questions, the officer became penal and broke his pencil in anger.

10.

rehabilitate

Rehabilitation is the typical penalty for a misdemeanor.*

The buildings were run down, but could definitely be rehabilitated.

Being in rehab means being in jail.