1. Decide if the following statements are true or false. Correct the false statements.

1. Ms. Redford deals both with tort and crime cases.

2. She has been working on 4 cases and 1 claim.

3. Helen represented a plaintiff at the traffic accident court hearing.

4. She is sure her client is not liable for nuisance and the court hearing is not necessary.

5. Ms. Redford has invited an expert witness to give evidence in the defamation case.

6. The discrimination case appears to be rather difficult.

7. Helen spent about 12 hours at work.

2. Speak about Ms. Redfords working day.

Exercise VI

A Day in the Life: Prosecuting Attorney (Mr. Daniel Wallace)

9:00 a.m.: Arrive at office, check emails and look through the files and paperwork for court.

10:00 a.m.: Consider warrant requests from police detectives to determine whether a person should be charged with a crime and, if so, what the crime should be. Review all reports and records concerning the case, including witness statements. Send one case back to the police to conduct additional investigation.

11:30 a.m.: In the Circuit Court. The first is a battery case that is a misdemeanor. Pre-trial conference with the defendant’s attorney. The defendant pleas guilty. The trial is scheduled for the next weak.

12:30 p.m.: Back in the office .Quick lunch at my desk. Make phone calls to criminal investigators concerning a murder case.

1:00 p.m.: Brief interview with police officers on a burglary case.

1:45 p.m.: Back in the Circuit Court. At the jury trial I present evidence to prove that the defendants – founders of a commercial business - have committed fraud and forgery. Today is the second court session and the defence council and prosecution cross-examine the witnesses. The next session is scheduled for Friday.

5:15 p.m.: Arrive at the office. Study new police reports. Prepare papers for tomorrow’s hearing of a kidnapping case at District Court.

6:00 p.m.: Head home.

Tasks

1. Answer the following questions:

1. When does Mr. Wallace work with papers?

2. Why does he meet with police? What does he do?

3. Where and who with does he have a pre-trial conference?

4. How many cases does Mr. Wallace deal with during the day? What are they?

5. What is he busy with at the afternoon second court session?

2. Speak about the day in the life of Mr. Wallace – it all happened yesterday.

Exercise VII

A day in the life of a Magistrate

previous conviction – предыдущий приговор

enter a plea of guilty – объявить (в суде) о признании виновной

adjourn a case – отложить, перенести (слушание) дело

search warrant – ордер на обыск

As court starts at 10 am I like to get there about 9.30am – this gives me a chance to look through the lists to make sure none of the defendants' names are familiar.

I chair the court with two magistrates - a man, aged 32, who works in recruitment and was appointed about ten months ago, and a 54-year-old woman who works for a well-known airline.

Before going into court we have a brief chat with our legal adviser who confirms the majority of the court business.

As always, we go into court promptly at 10am; on our appearance in court everyone stands. It is a clear sign that chatting is over and it is time for business.

The first case is a 45-year-old defendant who’s pleaded guilty to driving with excess alcohol. The defendant had no previous convictions or points on his driving license. We disqualify the driver for 12 months and fine him £250.

The second case is a woman charged with shoplifting. She too enters a plea of guilty. However, she has a very long list of previous convictions and she already has been charged with another two shoplifting offences. She has to appear in court again in two weeks time to be sentenced. We decide to adjourn the case because then it will be better to consider all the charges together.

The third case involves two 19-year-old men, charged with assaulting the landlord of the pub where they had been drinking the previous night. It turns out that not all evidence has been collected. So we have to decide whether or not to grant bail.

Everyone has a right to bail, and we have to listen carefully to the arguments put by the prosecution and defence. After hearing evidence from the prosecution and defence, and consulting amongst ourselves, we grant conditional bail.

After quick lunch we are back in court.

We are asked to hear an application for a search warrant by a police officer. The police officer relays the information, source and reasons why a warrant is needed. They wish to search a property where it is believed there were stolen goods. We grant the search warrant and I sign the relevant papers.

Then we prepare to hear the case of burglary committed by a 38-year old man. The case appears to be rather violent. We decide to transfer the case to Crown Court.

We also hear two cases that both concern small traffic accidents. Both decisions are fines.

As no more case hearings are scheduled we are free at about 4 p.m.

Tasks for Exercise VII