МИНИСТЕРСТВО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ И НАУКИ РОССИЙСКОЙ ФЕДЕРАЦИИ

ФЕДЕРАЛЬНОЕ АГЕНСТВО ПО ОБРАЗОВАНИЮ

ГОУ ВПО «Череповецкий государственный университет»

Кафедра английской филологии

Практика речи английского языка

Методические рекомендации к изучению курса

(для студентов 4 курса)

Учебно-методическое пособие

Специальность: 031001

Филология (английский язык)

Составители: Арюхина Е.Г. – канд. филол. наук, доцент, Дунаевская Т.А. - канд. филол. наук, доцент

Череповец 2011

Введение

Данное учебно-методическое пособие по практике речи английского языка предназначено для студентов факультетов и отделений английского языка и содержит дополнительный материал по следующим темам: «Судебная система в США», «Книги», «Брак и семья». Представленный материал направлен на пополнение вокабуляра по данным разговорным темам, а также на развитие навыков устной речи – диалогической и монологической.

Тексты носят информативный и проблемный характер и могут служить базой для ведения дискуссии и беседы. На их основе студенты могут развить умение отстаивать свою точку зрения, убеждать собеседника. Спорные положения, представленные в некоторых текстах, стимулируют аргументативное монологическое высказывание и могут стать основой для творческих форм работы – проектов, ролевых игр.

Topic 1. Legal System of the USA

Laws and Courts in the US

The US legal system is based on federal law, augmented by laws enacted by state legislatures and local laws passed by counties and cities. Most rights and freedoms enjoyed by Americans are enshrined in the first ten amendments of the US Constitution and popularly known as the ‘Bill of Rights’.

American law and the US Constitution apply to everyone in the US, irrespective of citizenship or immigration status, and even illegal immigrants have most of the same basic legal rights as US citizens. Under the US constitution, each state has the power to establish its own system of criminal and civil laws, resulting in 50 different state legal systems, each supported by its own laws, prisons, police forces, and county and city courts. There’s a wide variation in state and local laws, making life difficult for people moving between states. Never assume that the law is the same in different states (Conflict of State Laws is a popular course in American law schools).

The us Judiciary

The US judiciary is independent of the government and consists of the Supreme Court, the US Court of Appeals and the US District Courts. The Supreme Court, the highest court in the land, consists of nine judges who are appointed for life by the President. Its decisions are final and legally binding on all parties. In deciding cases, the Supreme Court reviews the activities of state and federal governments and decides whether laws are constitutional. The Supreme Court has nullified laws passed by Congress and even declared the actions of US presidents unconstitutional. Momentous judgments in recent years have involved the Watergate scandal, racial segregation, abortion and capital punishment.

The federal courts

A separate system of federal courts operates alongside state courts and deals with cases arising under the US Constitution or any law or treaty. Federal courts also hear disputes involving state governments or between citizens resident in different states. Cases falling within federal jurisdiction are heard before a federal district judge. Appeals can be made to the Circuit Court of Appeals and in certain cases to the US Supreme Court.

The civil and criminal courts

There’s a clear separation and distinction between civil courts, which settle disputes between people (such as property division after a divorce), and criminal courts that prosecute those who break the law. Crimes are categorized as minor offences (‘misdemeanors’) or serious violations of the law (‘felonies’). Misdemeanors include offences such as dropping litter, illegal parking or jay-walking, and are usually dealt with by a fine without a court appearance. Felonies, which include robbery and drug dealing, are tried in a court of law and those found guilty are generally sentenced to prison (jail).

People who commit misdemeanours may be issued a summons (unsuspecting foreigners who violate local by-laws may be let off with a warning), while anyone committing a felony is arrested. An arrest almost always involves being ‘frisked’ for concealed weapons, handcuffed and read your rights. You must be advised of your constitutional (Miranda) rights when arrested. These include the right to remain silent, the right to have a lawyer present during questioning, and the right to have a free court-appointed lawyer if you cannot afford one. You will be asked if you wish to waive your rights. This isn’t recommended, as any statement you make can then be used against you in a court of law.

It’s better to retain your rights and say nothing until you’ve spoken with a lawyer. At the police department, you’re charged and have the right to make one telephone call. This should be to your embassy or consulate, a lawyer or the local legal aid office, or (if necessary) to someone who will stand bail for you. You’re then put into a cell until your case comes before a judge, usually the same or next day, who releases you (if there’s no case to answer) or sets bail. Bail may be a cash sum or the equivalent property value. For minor offences, you may be released on your ‘personal recognizance’. In serious cases, a judge may oppose bail.