Criminal trials
Date: 2015-10-07; view: 504.
Unit 7.
Ex. 80. Look through the text.
In criminal trials, the defendant may always introduce opinion evidence or reputation evidence to prove that they did not commit the crime of which they are accused. However, if a criminal defendant does introduce such evidence, the prosecution may then counter this with evidence of the defendant's bad character. The defendant cannot introduce evidence of specific good acts to show that he did not commit a bad act.
When someone other than the defendant testifies as to the defendant's good character, the prosecution may ask if the witness was aware of specific bad acts done by the defendant. This is permissible because the question is not asked to prove the defendant's character, but simply to impeach the credibility of the witness.
Another exception arises in criminal trials where the defendant introduces evidence of the character of the victim of the crime, in order to show that the defendant acted in self defence. For example, if the defendant is on trial for battery of the victim, the defendant can introduce evidence that the victim has a reputation for violence, or that a witness has the opinion that the victim is a violent person, in order to show that the defendant actually acted in self defence. The prosecution may counter this by introducing similar evidence of the victim's peaceful nature, or by introducing similar evidence of the defendant's violent nature.
Ex. 81. Translate the words and expressions.
- to introduce an evidence
- to accuse of committing a crime
- to testify
- prosecution
- to be aware of
- to impeach
- credibility
- the victim of the crime
- to act in self defence
- a reputation for violence
- to counter
- similar evidence
Ex. 82. Create the sentences according to the sample. Pay attention to the translation of the sentences.
| The defendant introduced evidence that the victim is a violent person, in order to show that the defendant actually acted in self defence. |
| He killed this old lady The bribe was given This lady give him poison The prosecution called the witness again Her lawyer said that the accused had an alibi His victim testified upon a trial The defendant impeached a witness He asked this question The prosecutor showed the photos of the violent murder | in order to | hasten her husband's death. impeach the credibility of the witness. make the jury pass the accused the death sentence. prove that he was not a low creature. prove that she hadn't been able to commit this crime. say that the accused was innocent. send the criminal into prison. show that he is not sure in his evidence. speed up the registration of the firm. |
Ex. 83. Translate the sentences.
А. 1. Only members of his family have testified for him. 2. The chairman countered the committee member's suggestion with another question. 3. The governor was impeached for wrongful use of state money. 4. Vagrants are often quite happy to be gaoled for the night, especially during the winter. 5. Carol was called upon to give evidence. 6. Our defence looked pretty solid. 7. This case brings into question the whole purpose of law. 8. Why did you try to conceal the names of the two guilty men? 9. Everybody was shocked by a ten-year jail sentence. 10. Prosecution for a first minor offence rarely leads to imprisonment. 11. The prosecution has failed to prove its case. 12. There are seven witnesses who will testify for the defence. 13. She was afraid to give evidence at the trial but the police promised to provide her safety. 14. The violent death of this boy was on their conscience.
В. UK Classification of Crime
In the United Kingdom, there are many ways of classifying crimes, they are largely distinguished on the basis of their seriousness. In addition, offenses may be classified according to the procedure by which a case is brought to trial (in a magistrates' court only, by indictment, or triable-either-way in a magistrates' or the higher Crown Court), according to the availability of the sanction of imprisonment, or in terms of the Home Office's Standard List of more serious offenses.
Age of criminal responsibility. The age of criminal responsibility in England and Wales is 10. Children between 10 and 17 years of age are brought before a youth court when charged with a criminal offense. The sanctions available to youth courts are more restricted than those for adult courts, the major differences being that fines can be imposed which parents must pay and supervision or attendance center orders may be imposed.
Drug offenses. The classification of drugs by seriousness of offense presents particular difficulties. The Misuse of Drugs Act of 1971, created for the purpose of narcotic control, listed certain drugs as Class A, B, or C, depending on the magnitude of harm deemed to be attached to their trafficking and use. Drugs can be reclassified and new drugs classified within this framework. It is essential that flexibility be maintained so that drug classification is kept in line with current social and scientific opinion. The Misuse of Drugs Act was intended to regulate the use and flow of drugs. Accordingly, as a general rule it is unlawful to import or export, produce, supply, possess, prepare or cultivate any controlled substance.
Ex. 85. Combine the letters into the words covering the text.
| G | R | A | W | A | R | E | V | D | 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. |
| D | E | F | E | N | D | A | N | T | |
| A | V | I | C | T | I | M | I | E | |
| V | I | C | R | I | T | C | M | S | |
| I | D | O | I | V | I | O | P | T | |
| O | E | U | M | E | T | U | E | I | |
| L | N | R | E | O | R | N | A | F | |
| E | C | O | M | M | I | T | C | Y | |
| N | E | P | T | A | A | E | H | V | |
| C | V | A | C | T | L | R | L | J | |
| E | F | H | M | I | O | S | I | T |
Ex. 84. Read.
"If you like laws and sausages, you should never watch either one being made."
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| Criminal law in England and Wales | | | Otto von Bismarck |