5) Complete the following text by translating the words and expressions in brackets.
Most criminal trials take place in а (Магістратському суді). Magistrates listen to all the (показання свідків) and decide whether the person accused of the crime (the defendant) is (винен) or not. If the defendant is found guilty, the magistrates usually decide on the (вирок). The magistrates are normally three Justices of the Peace chosen from the community. In court there will also be a solicitor who argues for the (обвинувачуваний).
The more serious cases are dealt with in the (Королівському суді) in front of a judge. А (суд присяжних) of twelve men and women (who are ordinary members of the public) decide whether the defendant is guilty or not. The (суддя) will decide on a sentence. Judges and other (юристи) who speak in Crown Courts wear black gowns and wigs. In Crown Courts there are two (адвоката) instead of solicitors, one arguing for the prosecution and the other for the defendant.
6) Look at the picture. The picture shows a typical magistrates' court. Match the numbers in the picture with the words below:
Witness Clerk Magistrates Usher Defendant Witness box Defence and prosecution solicitors Press, probation officers
5. Підведення підсумків заняття.
6. Домашнє завдання.
Роздатковий матеріал до заняття 17
-
Read the jokes and try to retell them:
A man accused of stealing a watch was acquitted on insufficient evidence (за недостатністю доказів). Outside the courtroom he approached (підішов) his lawyer and said: «What does that mean acquitted?
«It means», said the lawyer, «that the court has found you innocent. You are free to go».
«Does it mean I can keep the watch?» asked the client.
* * *
First juror: «We shouldn't be here very long. One look at those two fellows (хлопець) convinces (переконувати) me that they are guilty».
Second juror: «Not so loud, you fool! That's counsel for the prosecution and counsel for defence!
* * *
A man sentenced to death was being taken to the execution place in very nasty (огидний, мерзенний) weather.
«What bad weather», he remarked (зауважити).
«You are not the one to grumble (нарікати, скаржитися)», commented one of the escorts. «We've got yet to go back».
-
Read the text and try to understand the main information from it. These words will help you to understand it properly:
WORDS AND PHRASES
-
Magistrate ['mæʤɪstrɪt] - мировий суддя
-
to accuse [ə'kju:z] - обвинувачувати
-
defence [dɪ'fens] - захист
-
to hire ['haɪə] - наймати
-
to argue [´α:ɡju:] - обговорювати; заперечувати (оспорювати)
-
innocent [' ɪnɔsnt] - невинний
-
burden [bɛ:dn] - тягар доказу
-
prison ['prɪzn] -тюрма, в'язниця
-
probation [pra'beijan] - умовне засудження (осудження)
-
restrict [rɪs'trɪkt] - обмежувати
-
treason ['tri:zn] - зрада
-
rare [rɛə] – рідкісний
TYPES OF LEGAL PROFESSIONS
Who is who in the law? If you are prosecuted for a crime in Britain, you may meet the following people during your process through the courts:
Magistrates. Magistrates are unpaid judges, usually chosen from well—respected people in the local community. They are guided on points of law by an official, the clerk. There are magistrates' courts in most towns.
Solicitors. After the accused person has been arrested, the first person he or she needs to see is a solicitor. Solicitors are qualified lawyers who advise the accused and help prepare the defence case. The solicitor may represent the accused in court. A person who is too poor to afford a solicitor will usually get Legal Aid - financial help from the state.
Barristers. In more serious cases it is usual for the solicitor to hire a barrister to defend the accused. The barrister is trained in the law and in the skills required to argue a case in court. The banister for the defence will be confronted by his or her opposite number, the prosecuting barrister who represents the state.
Jurors. A jury consists of twelve men and women from the local community. They sit in the Crown Court, with a judge, and listen to witnesses for the defence and prosecution before deciding whether the accused is guilty or innocent. In Britain the person is innocent unless found guilty: the prosecution has the burden of establishing guilt. /
Judges. Judges are trained lawyers, nearly always ex—barristers, who sit in the Crown Court (and appeal courts). The judge rules on points of law, and makes sure that the trial is conducted properlv. He or she does not decide on the guilt or innocence of the accused - that is the jury's job. However, if the jury find the accused guilty, then the judge will pass sentence.
Coroners. Coroners have medical or legal training (or both) and inquire into violent or unnatural deaths.
Clerks of the court. Clerks look after administrative and legal matters in the courtroom.
Sentencing. The most common sentences are fines, prison and probation. Probation is used often with more minor offences. A person on probation must report to a local police station at regular intervals, which restricts his or her movement. A sentence of community service means that the convicted person has to spend several hours a week doing useful work in his locality.
A few more facts. Children under 10 cannot be charged with a criminal offence.
Offenders between 10 and 17 are tried by special juvenile courts.
The death penalty technically still exists in Britain for some rare offences, such as treason, but is no longer used.
The punishment for murder is a life sentence. This can be much less than a lifetime in prison, depending on factors such as good behaviour.
The most common punishment for crimes -'80 per cent of the total - is a fine.