Reading

Task 1. Read the following text to learn about the jury system.

The Jury

A jury is a group of men and women legally chosen to hear a case and to decide the facts from the evidence presented. Juries are used in civil and criminal cases. Trial by jury in civil cases is not common.

In criminal cases juries of 12 persons are used in all trials in the Crown Court. It is the duty of the judge to decide all matters of law, while the duty of the jury is to decide matters of facts. For centuries the jury has been regarded as extremely important, particularly in criminal cases.

Jurors are selected at random from the electoral register. Most people aged 18 to 70 are eligible to serve on a jury. To be eligible, a person:

• must be on the electoral register, which means aged 18 or older;

• have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years or more;

• must be able to communicate in the English language.

Certain persons are disqualified from jury service. A person will be disqualified:

1. if, at any time in the last 10 years he has served any part of a prison sentence, youth custody or detention, or has been given a suspended sentence of imprisonment.

2. if, at any time in the last five years he has been placed on probation.

The following persons are ineligible for jury service: judges, persons concerned with the administration of justice, the clergy and persons who have, or are still suffering from a mental illness.

Certain classes of persons may be excused from jury service. They are people with important business, doctors and dentists, Members of Parliament. They are “excused as of right”.

Other persons may be excused from jury service on request if they show good reason. These include students sitting for examinations, mothers with young children, people with a poor knowledge of the English language, and people with certain physical disabilities [1].

The Jury Service

The job of a juror is to listen to all evidence presented at trial and “to decide the facts” – that is to decide what really happened. The jury is required to sit quietly during the trial and to listen carefully to the speeches of the counsels, to concentrate on the evidence being presented. They listen to the cross-examination of witnesses making notes when necessary. They are often given documents, photographs and other pieces of evidence to examine.

In order to do their job, jurors do not need any special knowledge or ability. They are instructed by the judge on legal norms. It is important for jurors to listen attentively to the judge’s instructions. The jury will then retire to the jury room to reach a verdict. They elect one of their members as a foreman. Once a verdict has been arrived at, the jury will re-enter the courtroom and announce the verdict without any explanation or justification [1].

Vocabulary Focus

Task I. Make up possible word-combinations.

1. Jury (рассмотрение дела с участием суда присяжных, выполнять обязанности присяжного, иметь право исполнять обязанности присяжного, быть лишенным права исполнять обязанности присяжного, быть освобожденным от обязанностей присяжного, отбирать присяжных).

2. Verdict (обсудить, вынести, объявить, обвинительный, оправдательный).

3. Trial (судебный процесс с участием присяжных, судебный процесс без участия присяжных, во время судебного процесса, отдавать в руки правосудия, уголовное судопроизводство).

Task II. Translate the following words into English and make up the word-combinations.