Unit 8.

Ex. 94. Look through the text.

English Criminal Law

Criminal law is based on the theory that the defendant is innocent until proved guilty. In the UK it is the job of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to prove the guilt of the accused in most cases. It is the job of the defendant's solicitor or barrister to prepare and submit a defence. This is done in court by testing the strength of the evidence against the defendant using methods such as discrediting witnesses or challenging the legality of evidence e.g. a stop and search carried out by a police constable was not lawful according to the rules under section 2 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. The court must be satisfied that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt before a conviction can be achieved.

It is obvious to see that in theory, if not entirely in practice, it is hard for the accused to be convicted of a crime; more importantly a crime that the accused did not himself commit. This may seem weighted too far on the side of the accused however it is answered by a basic principle of English criminal law, "it is better to release five criminals than it is to convict one innocent".

In order to establish whether a criminal offence has been committed, we must first establish the components of that offence.

Every element of an offence falls into one of two categories: actus reus (latin for "guilty act") which refers to the physical parts of the crime and mens rea (latin for "guilty mind") which is made up of those elements which relate to the state of mind of the accused. Most criminal offences contain both actus reus and mens rea elements. Thus, we have the maxim "actus non facit reum nisi mens sit rea", meaning "an act does not make a person guilty of a crime unless his mind is also guilty. Some offences (known as strict liability offences), however, contain no men’s rea elements - a crime is committed merely upon performance of a certain act, regardless of the state of mind of the accused. An example of a strict liability offence is drunken driving.

Generally, there needs to be a coincidence of Actus Reus and Mens Rea in time.

Ex. 94. Translate the words and expressions.

- Crown Prosecution Service

- to submit a defence

- to test the strength of the evidence against the defendant

- to discredit a witness

- to challenge the legality of evidence

- according to the rules

- beyond reasonable doubt

- to achieve a conviction

- to be convicted of a crime

- a basic principle

- to release a criminal

- to convict an innocent

- to refer to the physical parts of the crime

- to relate to the state of mind

- liability

- a coincidence

- upon performance of a certain act

Ex. 95. Choose the proper words and fill the sentences in.

a criminal offence, coincidence, contain, conviction, evidence, innocent, lawyer, offence

Criminal law is based on the theory that the defendant is …………… until proved guilty. It is the job of the defendant's …………… to prepare and submit a defence. This is done in court by testing the strength of the …………… against the defendant. The court must be satisfied that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt before a …………… can be achieved.

In order to establish whether …………… has been committed, we must first establish the components of that offence.

Every element of an …………… falls into one of two categories: "guilty act" and "guilty mind". Most criminal offences …………… both elements. Generally, there needs to be a …………… of Actus Reus and Mens Rea in time.

Ex. 96. Fill in the crossword and find the hidden word.

											the process of being charged with a crime in court
										not guilty of a crime
										the person in a trial who is accused of a crime
									the Crown Prosecution …………… (CPS)
											the fact of things being present at the same time
										a person who is on trial for committing a crime
										a person who gives evidence in court
								the fact of being legal
									the place where legal trials take place
								an illegal act, syn. to the word crime

Ex. 97. Create the sentences according to the sample. Pay attention to the translation of the sentences.

It is better to release five criminals than it is to convict one innocent.

It is better

to prove to prepare and submit to search to test to establish to refer to decide to reach to be judged to cross-examine to counter

a defence. a unanimous verdict. by a trial of jury. if a criminal offence has been committed. on the manner of death. that the defendant is innocent. the real criminal. the strength of the evidence against the defendant. this evidence by introducing the contrary one. the witnesses. this case to the European Court of Justice.

Ex. 98. Translate the sentences.

1. Their lawyer submits that there are no grounds for denying bail*. 2. Counsel for the defence submitted that the evidence was unadmissible. 3. The new evidence cast some doubt on his reliability as a witness. 4. Have you prepared your speech yet? 5. Some people questioned the legality of the US’s attack on Baghdad. 6. This was her third conviction for theft. 7. It was a direct challenge to the president’s authority. 8. Have you finished your report, Constable? 9. He has some doubts whether these dealings were lawful. 10. The hostages were released in November 1988. 11. I’m not entirely happy about the proposal. 12. Britain has achieved the highest rate of economic growth in Europe this year. 13. The trial and conviction of Jimmy Malone took over three months. 14. She went to the Governor to beg for her son’s release. 15. You have not yet satisfied all the conditions for admission**. 16. The letter contained important information about Boulestin’s legal affairs. 17. Basic human rights are still denied in many countries. 18. Tenants have legal liability for any damage they cause. 19. It is an issue of merely local importance.

* to deny smb. bail — отказать кому-л. в поручительстве

** admission – прием ( в учебное заведение, клуб, общество и т. п. )

Ex. 99. Find the synonyms.

lawful satisfy doubt convict discredit entirely achieve contain principle maxim establish actus reus liable regardless mind

ascertain axiom completely disrepute guilty act include indifferent intention legal reach responsible rule sentence suffice uncertainty

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15

Ex. 100. Use the proper prepositions.

Criminal law is based ………… the theory that the defendant is innocent until proved guilty. ………… the UK it is the job ………… the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to prove the guilt ………… the accused in most cases. It is the job ………… the defendant's solicitor or barrister to prepare and submit a defence. This is done ………… court ………… testing the strength ………… the evidence against the defendant. The court must be satisfied that the defendant is guilty beyond reasonable doubt ………… a conviction can be achieved.

It is obvious to see that in theory, if not entirely in practice, it is hard ………… the accused to be convicted ………… a crime; more importantly a crime that the accused did not himself commit. This is answered ………… a basic principle ………… English criminal law, "it is better to release five criminals than it is to convict one innocent".

Every element …………an offence falls ………… one of two categories: actus reus (latin ………… "guilty act") which refers ………… the physical parts of the crime and mens rea (latin ………… "guilty mind") which is made up of those elements which relate ………… the state of mind of the accused.

Ex. 101. Translate the sentences.

1. Многие приложат все усилия, чтобы достичь этой цели. 2. Едва ли когда-нибудь было большее стечение неблагоприятных событий в одной семье. 3. Его признание в том, что он был на месте преступления, привело к тому, что его осудили. 4. Обязательства вашего работодателя не распространяются на несчастные случаи, которые происходят с вами по пути на работу. 5. Для того, чтобы подвергнуть сомнению ее права на титул, можно идти на все, что угодно. 6. Тебе могут сократить срок за примерное поведение. 7. Ответы на вопросы ставили под сомнение его предыдущие свидетельства. 8. Он решил обратиться к адвокату за советом. 9. Психическое состояние этого человека заставляло задуматься о необходимости его лечения в больнице. 10. Этого человека отпустили под залог (to release smb. on bail) в тысячу долларов. 11. Полиция действует в соответствии с полученной информацией. 12. Мы несем полную ответственность за долги наших детей. 13. То, что я делал, было абсолютно легально. 14. Из-за этих показаний ответчика присудили к штрафу в 500 евро. 15. Было очевидно, что этот человек дает ложные показания, и во время перекрестного допроса он запутался.

Ex. 102. Read.

" Crime is a logical extension of the sort of behaviour that is often considered perfectly respectable in legitimate business."

Just for fun!

☺

Robert Rice, The Business of Crime

Ex. 103. Find Russian equivalents.

coincidence to express doubt limited liability conviction to throw discredit upon smth. to release from prison to submit to bear false witness to convict of a crime to establish smb’s innocence to contain drunken driving

вождение автомобиля в нетрезвом виде выражать сомнения давать ложные показания доказать чью-либо невиновность ограниченная ответственность освобождать из тюрьмы осуждение, признание виновным подвергать что-л. сомнению представить на рассмотрение признавать виновным в преступлении совпадение содержать в себе; вмещать

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12

Ex. 104. Translate the sentences.

1. An autopsy was being done to establish the cause of death. 2. I submit that the jury has been influenced by the publicity in this case. 3. There’s no doubt who was responsible for this outrage. 4. The court ruled he couldn’t be held personally liable for his wife’s debts. 5. Nothing in his life had prepared him for this ordeal*. 6. He plans to appeal against his conviction. 7. The audience was almost entirely female. 8. The performance of his official duties took all his time. 9. The proposed plan will not satisfy everyone. 10. Simon has obtained early release from prison. 11. She gave him a challenging look. “Are you really sure?” – she demanded. 12. Anyone found trespassing is liable to a maximum fine of 100$. 13. All applications must be submitted by Monday. 14. This was an offence which carries, on conviction, a sentence of not more than five years’ imprisonment. 15. Mansell’s team will be up all the night preparing the car for the race. 16. He denies any liability for the cost of the court case. 17. Firefighters took two hours to release the driver from the wreckage. 18. It can’t be a coincidence that four jewelry stores were robbed at the same night.

*ordeal - суровое испытание

Ex. 105. Translate the text.

Я представляю в суде интересы других. Дело защиты – проследить, чтобы факты, говорящие в пользу обвиняемого, были представлены присяжным в самом выигрышном свете (to show smth. to the best advantage). Ничего другого от адвоката не требуется. Дело окружного прокурора – проследить, чтобы факты, поддерживающие обвинение, были представлены присяжным в самом благоприятном свете. Дело судьи – проследить, чтобы интересы обеих сторон были соблюдены должным образом, а доказательства приведены как положено, в согласии с принятым порядком. Наконец, дело присяжных – вынести решение и объявить вердикт.

Ex. 106. Translate the sentences.

1. Я сильно сомневаюсь, что этот переворот удастся. 2. Она полностью посвятила себя исследованиям и не обращала внимания ни на что другое. 3. Компания не несет ответственности за повреждения оборудования, полученные в результате природных катастроф. 4. Ты не можешь скрыть свою вину от полиции, даже если будешь молчать. 5. Чиновнику было предъявлено обвинение во взяточничестве. 6. Он был заключен в тюрьму на неделю, поскольку у него не было денег, чтобы заплатить штраф. 7. Ее вызвали в суд для дачи показаний. 8. Если вас арестуют за вождение автомобиля в нетрезвом виде, у вас отберут водительские права. 9. По странному совпадению он становится свидетелем уже третьего ограбления банка. 10. Обвиняемый утверждал, что не совершал преступления, в котором его обвиняют. 11. Мы представили предложения по новому налогообложению на рассмотрение в специальный комитет. 12. То, что она разочарована, было очевидно для всех.