8. Look at the picture. The picture shows a typical magistrates9 court. Match the numbers in the picture with the words below.
Usher
Magistrates
Clerk
Witness
Press, probation officers
Defence and Drosecution solicitors
Defendant
Witness box
9. Read the text and fill in the gaps with the appropriate words from the box.
sentences
judge
crimes
prisoners
juiy
magistrate
behaviour
Crown
imprisonment
murder
In England there are no minimum ..., except for..., which carries a penalty of life ... . There are maximum sentences for other ... . Crimes are first heard by a ... who can either pass sentence, or refer the crime to a ... Court with a ... and ... . Here are maximum sentences for some crimes. Sentences can be reduced for good ... , often by one-third or more. «Life sentences» are rarely more than 14 years, and it would be possible to release ... after 7 years.
Crime
Magistrates’ Court
Crown Court
Fine
Prison
Fine
Prison
1.
Bulgary
£1000
6 months
unlimited
14 years
2.
Grievous bodily harm
£1000
6 months
unlimited
5 years
3.
Possession of firearm
£1000
6 months
unlimited
5 years
4.
Possession of canabis
£500
3 months
unlimited
5 years
5.
Common assault
£200
2 months
6.
“Going equipped for stealing”
£1000
6 months
unlimited
3 years
7.
Murder
life imprisonment
10. Match the sentences with the crimes.
1) murder of a policeman;
2) drinking and driving without
causing a death;
3) robbing a bank with a gun;
4) stealing goods from a shop
(«shop-lifting»);
5) driving without insurance;
6) vandalising a telephone-box.
a) 100 hours of community service;
b) 6 months in prison or a £5.000 fine
and disqualification from driving;
c) five to ten years in prison;
d) a £300 fine;
e) a £3000 fine;
f) life imprisonment.
Copy the following table into your notebooks. Write as many words and expressions as you can think of to complete it. There is not necessarily a ‘correct’ position for a particular word. The choice is personal.
Crimes
Sentences
Legal professions
burglary
fine
judge
Work in pairs and find arguments for and against the death penalty.
Discuss the following questions:
mild sentences are a sign of a civilized society;
capital punishment is not a deterrent to murder;
the punishment must fit the crime.
Use the following words and expressions:
That’s just what I think.
I see what you mean, but on the other hand...
I think so too.
That’s ridiculous.
I’m afraid I can’t agree with you.