Unit 6.

Ex. 66. Look through the texts.

Criminal law in England and Wales

When someone is arrested by the police, a magistrate decides whether there is enough evidence against he person for the case to go to the court. If there is enough evidence and the case is a serious one, the person accused of the crime (the accused) is sent to a Crown Court for a trial with a judge and jury. If the verdict of the jury is that the accused is guilty then the judge decides the sentence and set the punishment. If there is enough evidence against the accused but the crime is not a serious one (for example a traffic offence) then the case is heard in a Magistrate Court.

If found guilty in the Crown Court the accused may apply to the Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) where he or she will be heard by a judge. Sometimes the High Court judge from the Queen’s Bench Division assists in dealing with criminal matters in the Court of Appeal or Crown Court.

The Innocent and the Guilty

Imagine, if you can, that you have been arrested for something like shoplifting, or for dangerous driving, or for getting drunk and raising "a disturbance of the peace". You are in the Magistrate Court now.

You, "the accused", is in a kind of large, open box. The sides come up almost to your chin. It is on a raised platform almost in the centre of the court and is called "the dock". You are "in the dock". There are three Magistrates "on the bench"' in front of you. At least one of them is a woman. They are also on a raised platform, at desk, side by side. In front of and below them there is another man. He is the "Clerk of the Court” and he, unlike them, is trained in the Law and is paid for his work. During your case he will handle the administrative details and perhaps give advice to the Magistrates on legal points.

The case begins. The policeman who arrested you gives evidence. He reads details from a small black notebook that he always carries. He tells the court when and why he arrested you, what you said, what he said, and so on. Your solicitor questions or “cross-examines” him. One of the Magistrates speaking for all three, also asks questions. Other witnesses appear. Perhaps you yourself say nothing at all. You do not have to speak in your defence. "Everyone is innocent until proved guilty". In other words, you do not have to prove that уou are innocent. The police have to prove you are guilty.

At the end the Magistrates probably do not even go out of the court. They discuss your case in low voices in front of you. You try to hear, but cannot. Then the Clerk of the Court tells you to stand. The Magistrate who has done the talking for the others tells you whether they have found you innocent or guilty. He can sentence you to no more than six months in gaol for one offence, or to a maximum of one year for two or more offences or to a fine of 400 pounds.

More serious cases are heard in the Crown Соurt, where the Judge is always a legal expert and is also paid for his work. In the Crown Court you may, if you choose, be given a “trial by jury”. Twelve ordinary citizens like yourself judge you. But the Judge himself always decides on the sentence.

Reporters for local newspapers often go to Magistrates' Courts; the next day articles appear in the paper and full names, ages, addresses and details of the case are given.

Ex. 67. Translate the words and expressions.

- innocent and guilty

- shoplifting

- disturbance of the peace

- the accused

- in the dock

- on the bench

- side by side

- Queen’s Bench Division

- Clerk of the Court

- handle the administrative details

- give evidence

- cross-examine

- to speak in your defence

- a month in gaol

- fine

- legal expert

Ex. 68. Use the proper prepositions.

In the magistrates’ court the accused is sitting ……… a kind of large, open box ……… a raised platform almost ……… the centre of the court . So he is "……… the dock". The Magistrates are "……… the bench". The "Clerk ……… the Court” handle ……… the administrative details and perhaps give advice ……… the Magistrates ……… legal points.

The policeman gives evidence. The solicitor questions or “cross-examines” him. One of the Magistrates asks questions. Other witnesses appear. You do not have to speak ……… your defence. You do not have to prove that уou are innocent. The police have to prove you are guilty.

……… the end the Magistrates discuss your case. Then the Clerk ……… the Court tells you to stand. The Magistrate tells ……… you whether they have found you innocent or guilty. He can sentence you ……… no more than six months ……… gaol ……… one offence or ……… a fine.

Ex. 69. Find and translate the words.

NEEDCIVE

TENINCON

NESTNECE

FONCFEE

UNMENTSHIP

LICIRANM

Ex. 70. Create the sentences according to the sample. Pay attention to the translation of the sentences.

If there is enough evidence, the accused is sent to a Crown Court.

If the accused is guilty If the crime is not a serious one If found guilty in the Crown Court If you are in the dock If the magistrates need If you are the accused If magistrates have found you guilty, If you don’t want to pay fine If the case is serious If you choose,

it is heard in the Crown Соurt. the accused may apply to the Court of Appeal. the case is heard in a Magistrate Court. the clerk of the court can give advice to them on legal points. the judge decides the sentence. the magistrates are "on the bench"' in front of you. the police have to prove you are guilty. they can sentence you to no more than six months in gaol for one offence. you can be given a “trial by jury”. you will be sent to prison.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10

Ex. 71. Translate the sentences.

A. 1. A trial court or court of first instance is the court in which most civil or criminal cases begin. 2. In the trial court evidence is taken and determinations are made called findings of fact based on the evidence. 3. In most common law jurisdictions, the trial court often sits with a jury and one judge. 4. A trial court is distinguished from an appellate court, which reviews cases that have already been heard in the trial court. 5. In appellate review the record of the trial court must be certified by the clerk of the trial court and transmitted to the appellate body. 6. Most appellate courts do not have the authority to hear testimony or take evidence, but must rely upon the record below.

B. 1. Where the trial is held solely before a judge, it is called a bench trial. 2. Where the trial is held before a group of disinterested members of the community, it is called a jury trial. 3. Bench trials involve fewer formalities, and are typically resolved faster. 4. Hearings before administrative bodies may have many of the features of a trial before a court, but are typically not referred to as trials. 5. An appellate proceeding is also generally not deemed a trial, because such proceedings are usually restricted to review of the evidence presented before the trial court, and do not permit the introduction of new evidence.

Ex. 72. Read.

" In cross-examination, as in fishing, nothing is more ungainly than a fisherman pulled into the water by his catch."

Just for fun!

☺

Louis Nizer - U.S. lawyer; Author of My Life in Court, Thinking On Your Feet, Reflections Without Mirrors

Ex. 73. Create expressions by linking two columns.

an evidence to be arrested to be accused to be sent to a court to decide to set to apply to sit to be trained to handle to give to cross-examine to be found to sentence to sentence to be given									a “trial by jury” against the person by the police evidence for a trial for an offence in the dock in the Law innocent of the crime on the sentence the administrative details the punishment the witness to the Court of Appeal to three months in gaol
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		10	11	12	13	14	15	16

Ex. 74. Translate the sentences.

А. 1. I was asked to give evidence. 2. Lately the press has been guilty of reporting scandal in order to sell papers. 3. It was a dirty frowsy room with a dock for the prisoners on the left hand. 4. The witness was cross-examined for over two hours. 5. Murrow’s evidence was enough to convict Hayes of murder. 6. The juror announced the verdict. 7. Working in the Crown Court he used to deal with criminal matters. 8. Best defence is offence. 9. She was arrested and questioned about the fire. 10. All the accused have pleaded guilty. 11. He has been released from jail. 12. New legislation on the sale of drags will be introduced next year. 13. The research has been carried out with scrupulous attention to detail. 14. We were advised to seek legal advice. 15. He broke down under cross-examination and admitted his part in the assault*. 16. An arrest is the action of the police, or person acting under the law, to take a person into custody so that they may be forthcoming to answer for the commission of a crime.

*assault – словесное оскорбление и угроза физическим насилием

В. Суд королевской скамьи — самое крупное отделение Высоко­го суда. В его составе 63 судьи. В структуру отделения Суда королев­ской скамьи

входят также некоторые другие специальные судеб­ные подразделения — Суд по морским делам, Коммерческий суд. Суд королевской скамьи по сравнению с другими отделения­ми Высокого суда имеет самую широкую юрисдикцию. Он высту­пает как суд и по гражданским делам, и по уголовным делам, и как суд первой инстанции, и как апелляционная инстанция. В первой инстанции здесь, как правило, рассматриваются наиболее сложные и запутанные гражданские дела в юрисдикции общего права.

Основная масса дел, попадающих в Суд королевской скамьи, связана с разрешением споров по контрактам, а также с теми си­туациями, когда речь идет о больших суммах денег. Например, это могут быть иски из причинения вреда (tort) вследствие несча­стных случаев на производстве, на транспорте или соответствую­щие гражданские споры с участием выдающихся личностей и из­вестных людей.

Кроме того, Суд королевской скамьи наделен еще одной важ­ной функцией — судебного надзора. На основании этих полномо­чий Суд королевской скамьи осуществляет надзор за решениями других судов, за действиями и решениями должностных лиц и ор­ганов управления. Так обеспечивается достаточно эффективный механизм реализации одной из наиболее важных конституцион­ных гарантий личных прав граждан — судебного обжалования и защиты.

Ex. 75. Using prefixes and suffixes create words with the main component “law”.

-ful, -ness, -less, in-, out-, -ed, un-

………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… ………………………… …………………………

- законный, правомерный - законность, правомерность - 1) неправомерный; противозаконный 2) не подчиняющийся законам; нарушающий закон - беззаконие - 1) восстановить в правах (лицо, объявленное вне закона) - 1) объявленный вне закона 2) лишённый законной силы; истекший (о давности уголовного преследования) - 1) правонарушение 2) денежный штраф - 1) неправомерный, противоправный, незаконный 2) незаконнорождённый, внебрачный

Ex. 75. Translate the sentences.

1. Он сидел на скамье подсудимых и слушал, что говорили свидетели. 2. Если кто-то совершил преступление, он должен быть готов понести наказание. 3. Когда судья выслушал показания свидетелей, он был готов вынести приговор. 4. Опрашивая свидетельницу, он задавал вопросы об обитателях дома. 5. В настоящее время перекрестный допрос по этому пункту недопустим. 6. «Вы видели подсудимую в тот день?» – спросил адвокат. 7. Адвокат потребовал, чтобы свидетелям была предоставлена возможность давать показания в суде и чтобы полиция не пыталась на них давить. 8. На самом деле водитель видел обвиняемую еще до того, как выступил свидетелем в суде. 9. Этот преступник заслуживал смертного приговора. 10. Он написал завещание, но потом изменил условия, поскольку считал, что это повлечет за собой судебное расследование. 11. Он намеревался убить Фоули, признать себя виновным в убийстве и пойти на казнь. 12. Перри Мейсон заявил: «Моя клиентка имеет право на беспристрастный (impartial) суд, и, видит Бог, я ей его обеспечу!» 13. Адвокат не позволял ей давать показания, поскольку присяжные и так считали ее невиновной. 14. «Суд не имеет намерения прерывать перекрестный допрос, объявляя перерыв», - произнес судья Маркхем. 15. Он напомнил присяжным о предупреждении суда не обмениваться мнениями по данному делу и не допускать его обсуждения в своем присутствии.

Ex. 76. Translate the text.

Alice had never been in a court of justice before, but she had read about them in books, and she was quite pleased to find that she knew the name of nearly everything there. “That’s the judge,” she said to herself, “because of his great wig.”

The judge, by the way, was the King; and as he wore his crown over the wig…

“And that’s the jury-box,” thought Alice; “and those twelve creatures,” (she was obliged to say “creatures,” you see, because some of them were animals, and some were birds,) “I suppose they are the jurors.” She said this last word two or three times over to herself, being rather proud of it: for she thought, and rightly too, that very few little girls of her age knew the meaning of it at all.

The White Rabbit cried out, “Silence in the court!”

“Consider your verdict,” the King said to the jury.

“Not yet, not yet!” the Rabbit hastily interrupted. “There’s a great deal to come before that!”

“Call the first witness,” said the King; and the White Rabbit blew three blasts on the trumpet, and called out, “First witness!”

Ex. 77. Find equivalents to the following.

give evidence shoplifting clerk of the court a legal defence to prove smb.'s guilt in а low voice sentence smb. for an offence sentence to a fine

вынести приговор за правонарушение давать свидетельские показания доказать чью-то виновность магазинная кража приговорить к штрафу секретарь суда судебная защита тихим голосом

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8

Ex. 78. Choose the proper words and fill the sentences in.

1. He was released when the judge ruled there was no …………… against him. 2. The jury found her …………… of murder. 3. After a week …………… had still not reached a verdict. 4. A majority …………… of 10 to 2 was “not guilty”. 5. I have to say in her …………… that she knew nothing about it beforehand. 6. He …………… whether the accident was solely the truck driver’s fault. 7. For ……………, the police typically take suspects to a police station or a jail. 8. In France, most claims against the national or local governments are handled by …………… courts. 9. A shopkeeper is guilty of an …………… if he sells alcohol to anyone under the age of 18. 10. Please supply the following ……………: name, age and sex.

administrative, defence, details, evidence, guilty, offence, questioned, serious crimes, the jury, verdict

Ex. 79. Translate the sentences.

1. За два месяца, проведенных в тюрьме, Питер Блад возненавидел короля Якова и всех его сторонников. 2. Они оказались среди тех арестованных, которых на следующий же день вывели из переполненной тюрьмы и повесили. 3. Судебный пристав (police officer) потребовал соблюдения полной тишины, угрожая нарушителям тюрьмой. 4. Клерк зачитал обвинительное заключение и предложил ответить: виновен он или не виновен. 5. Я бы хотел, чтобы судья и господа присяжные заседатели выслушали, что я скажу в свою защиту. 6. Ни один свидетель не может сказать, что я принимал участие в восстании. 7. Как представитель закона, истолкователями которого являемся мы – судьи, а не обвиняемый, хочу напомнить вам, что если кто-то поддерживает мятежника, то этот человек – такой же предатель. 8. Руководствуясь данной вами присягой (oath), вы обязаны вынести справедливый приговор.