Internet research

Core Vocabulary 1

public wrong – нарушение общественного характера

statutory basis – правовая основа

impose punishment – назначить наказание

equitable remedy – соответствующие меры, средства защиты

prosecution rules – нормы ведения уголовного дела

criminal procedure – уголовный процесс

facts of the case – обстоятельства дела

felony – особо тяжкое преступление

misdemeanor – преступление средней тяжести

petty crime – мелкий проступок

murder – убийство (злостное)

rape - изнасилование

drug trafficking - наркоторговля

child abuse – жестокое обращение с ребенком

burglary – ограбление со взломом

kidnapping – похищение людей с целью получения выкупа

theft - кража

fraud - мошенничество

piracy – незаконное копирование и продажа произведений авторского права

scam - афёра

pickpocketing – карманные кражи

disorderly conduct - хулиганство

jaywalking – переход улицы в неположенном месте

penalty - штраф

innocent - невиновный

What is crime?

“A crime is an offence that involves an act or omission of act harmful not only to some individual but also to the community or the state” (en.wikipedia.org). It is a public wrong prosecuted by the state and punishable by law. This law is Criminal Law, an area of law that provides a statutory basis for the nation protection.

How does Criminal Law protect the community and the state?

The Criminal Law is the foundation of the criminal justice system. The law defines the acts that may lead to an arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment.

Criminal law prohibits conduct that causes or threatens the public interest; defines and warns people of the acts that are subject to criminal punishment; distinguishes between serious and minor offences; and imposes punishment specified in criminal codes

What is the function of Criminal Law?

The function of Criminal Law is to provide the state with the system of stable law enforcement and to provide those who suffered from criminal offences with equitable remedies preventing further law violations.

What are the main parts and provisions of Criminal Law?

Criminal Law besides defining offences includes crime investigation, prosecution rules, criminal procedure rules that refer to trials. The law provides that every person has a right to fair trial that is why at the hearing the prosecution must prove the accused person guilty beyond reasonable doubt. Criminal codes specify the measures of punishment according to the category of crime and important facts of the case.

What are the categories of crime?

The major categories are

Felonies

Felony is the most serious crime like murder, rape, drug trafficking, child abuse, burglary, kidnapping. It involves violence and infliction of severe physical or moral injuries, or just major breach of law.

Misdemeanors

Misdemeanors like theft, criminal assault and battery, drunk driving, vandalism, fraud, piracy. These are characterized by either aggressive or irresponsible behavior, or well-planned scams.

Minor or petty crimes

These are cases of minor financial fraud, pickpocketing, disorderly conduct, jaywalking or even bringing alcohol to a stadium.

How are the crimes punished?

Before making a decision the judge listens to the facts and arguments of the parties. If a jury trial is held, the judge will wait for the jury’s verdict. Only after that he can convict the defendant and sentence him or her to a penalty or an imprisonment term. The punishment depends on the seriousness of the crime.

If the prosecution fails to prove the case, the defendant is declared innocent.

Highlight all words and word combinations from

Core Vocabulary 1.