Intoxication

One who is charged with a crime may raise the issue of intoxication as a defense. However the result depends on whether the intoxication was voluntary or involuntary.

Involuntary intoxication may provide a complete excuse for criminal liability under some circumstances. Involuntary intoxication is allowed as a defense if the defendant was tricked into drinking or ingesting alcohol or drugs that rendered him or her incapable of forming the necessary intent for the crime that was committed.

Voluntary intoxication is considered a defense only if, as result of intoxication, the defendant is unable to form the necessary intent required for a specific criminal act. For example, if a person consumed several drinks at a local bar and, in a drunken stupor, attempted to enter the wrong house, he or she would not be guilty of attempted burglary. Some jurisdictions have enacted statutes that remove voluntary intoxication as a defense, since the perpetrator knowingly ingested the alcohol or drugs prior to commission of the crime.

EXERCISE 15. Translate the given passage into English.

Для того чтобы произвести арест, власти должны иметь достаточно доказательств, связывающих подозреваемого с преступлением, то есть иметь разумные основания полагать, что данное лицо виновно в совершении преступления. Отсутствие таких разумных оснований делает арест незаконным. Данный стандарт применяется и в отношении ордера на обыск. Основанием для выдачи этого ордера также должна быть достаточная информация, иначе доказательства, полученные в результате обыска, на процессе будут исключены из рассмотрения. Более того, сразу же после ареста власти должны проинформировать обвиняемого о его праве не давать никаких показаний и воспользоваться услугами адвоката-защитника, иначе любые заявления, сделанные им после ареста также будут исключены из дела судом. Таким образом, роль защитника во время ареста состоит в том, чтобы оценить, был ли арест произведен при наличии разумных оснований, был ли любой исполненный ордер основан на достаточной информации, и не были ли права обвиняемого нарушены во время ареста или проведения последующих допросов.

 Focus on grammar. The -ing forms

The – ing forms can function either as a present participle, a verbal noun or gerund.

Translate the following examples into Russian paying attention to the -ing forms.

1. A man intending to harm his friend after a disagreement hits him in the head.

2. Circumstances that mitigate the killing.

3. Wrongful taking and carrying away of personal property is punishable by law.

4. A woman buys some poison, intending to kill her husband.

5. A man seeing a stranger sitting in his favorite seat in the cafeteria pushes him out of the seat.

6. He thinks that social drinking is disgusting.

7. Intentional killing committed under extenuating circumstances.

8. He seized a chair and began to wave it around his head, striking students who happen to be in his path.

9. Admitting no definite alibi for the time of the murder, Dr Gooding stated that he wanted to confer with his attorney.

 Legalese

Legal language traditionally uses coupled synonyms such as: alter or change; last will and testament; confessed and acknowledged; order and direct; null and void; for and during the period; peace and quiet; force and effect; free and clear; full and complete; true and correct. Coupled synonyms have ancient roots. Professor D. Mellinkoff in his Dictionary of American Legal Usage explains that, at several moments in history, the English and their lawyers had two languages to choose from: first, a choice between the language of the Celts and that of their Anglo-Saxon conquerors; later, a choice between English and Latin; and later still, a choice between English and French. Lawyers started using a word from each language, joined in a pair, to express a single meaning. For example, free and clear comes from the Old English freo and the Old French cler. This redundant doubling was sometimes used for clarity, sometimes for emphasis, and sometimes just because it was the literary fashion. With the time doubling became traditional in legal language, and it is still true for many legal documents.

EXERCISE 16. Read the sentences given below. Translate them into Russian, paying attention to the coupled synonyms used in these sentences.

1. The contract is already null and void by the prior order and decree of this court.

2. This decision can have no further force and effect.

3. The plaintiff argues that in this case full and complete relief can be given without the issuance of an injunction.

4. First degree murder is unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought and with premeditation and deliberation.

5. Second degree murder is unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought but without premeditation and deliberation.

6. Voluntary manslaughter is intentional killing committed under extenuating circumstances that mitigate the killing in the heat of passion after being provoked.

7. There are certain basic principles that are familiar for each and every trial lawyer.