Read and translate the short dialogue, using the vocabulary of the text above. Then reproduce it

A. - What is the judicial branch of power in the USA?

B. - The judicial branch of government is the system of courts.

A. - And what is its job?

B. - Its job is to enforce the law.

A. - Is it true that Supreme Court is the highest court in the country?

B. - Yes, it’s true. This court consists of 9 justices: one Chief Justice and 8

associate justices.

A. - Who appoints the justices to the Supreme Court?

B. - The US President appoints the justices, but the Senate must approve them.

The justices are appointed for life. The judicial branch works together with

the legislative and executive branches to protect the Constitution and the

right of the citizens of the USA.

 

13. Translate the sentences into English using Passive Voice:

1. Меня попросили рассказать о судебной системе США.

2. Эти судьи назначаются президентом.

3. Этого свидетеля вызвали последним.

4. Присяжные используются в наиболее серьезных случаях.

5. Закон был принят вчера.

6. Страна разделена на несколько судебных округов.

7. Большинство гражданских дел рассматривается судами магистрата.

8. Существующие системы судов штатов возглавляются Верховными Судами штатов.

9. Суды штатов организованы подобно федеральным судам.

 

Fill in the blanks.

Federal and State Court System

The federal courts have three tiers: (a)________courts, courts of (b)_______ and the (c)______Court. The (d)______Court was created by the Constitution; all other (e) _______courts were created by Congress. Most litigation occurs in (f) ____courts. The structure of (g)______courts varies from state to state; usually there are (h)_____for less serious cases, (i)_____ for more serious cases, intermediate(j)_____ courts, and courts of last (k)_____. State courts were created by state constitutions.

 

15. Ситуация. Предположим, что вы – один из судей Верховного Суда США. Иностранные корреспонденты задают вам вопросы о судебной системе США. Дайте точные ответы на их вопросы.

 

Retell the text.

The word EVIDENCE has the following meanings in Russian:

1) доказательство

Evidence at law – судебные доказательства

2) показания

Evidence for the defence – показания свидетелей защиты

3) улики

Evidence of crime - улики

4) свидетельство

Written evidence – письменное свидетельство

 

Match the following English expressions with their Russian equivalents:

1. evidence in the case 1. вещественное доказательство

2. evidence on oath 2. доказательства вины

3. to give (offer) evidence 3. доказательства или показания по делу

4. to plant evidence 4. доказательство из первых рук

5. to weigh evidence 5. заключение эксперта

6. to withhold evidence 6. косвенное доказательство

7. evidence of guilt 7. лжесвидетельство

8. circumstantial evidence 8. ложное доказательство, показания

9. conclusive (decisive) evidence 9. недостаточное доказательство

10. expert evidence 10. неопровержимое доказательство

11. false evidence 11. оценить доказательства

12. first hand evidence 12. показания под присягой

13. insufficient evidence 13. скрыть доказательства

14. irrefutable evidence 14. сфабриковать доказательства

15. perjured evidence 15. окончательное, решающее

16. physical evidence 16. давать (предоставлять)

17. evidence wrongfully доказательство, доказательства

obtained 17. доказательства, полученные с

нарушением закона.

 

Just for fun

Read the following jokes. Try to retell them. You may do it in Russian:

1. A friend of a judge dropped in for a visit one morning before court opened

and looked around. «Goodness, you certainly have a lot of criminals to try this

morning, haven’t you?» he observed.

«Oh, not so many», answered the judge. «You are looking at the wrong bench – those are lawyers».

2. Lawyer: «Now that we have won, will you tell me confidentially if you stole

the money?»

Client: «Well, after hearing you talk in court yesterday, I am beginning to think I didn’t».

3. Judge: «Have you anything to say before I pass sentence on you?»

Prisoner: «Yes, Your Honour, I should like you to have your lunch first».

4. A man was accused of stealing a pair of trousers. After a long examination

he was acquitted, because the evidence against him was not sufficiently strong. He

stayed, however, in the dock after his acquittal had been pronounced. The

lawyer who had defended him, observing that he didn’t go away, informed him

that he was free to go whenever he wanted. The man shook his head slightly,

but remained. By this time the court was nearly empty. Again his lawyer told

him that he could go.

«I can’t go till all the witnesses against me have left the court», said the man.

«And why may that be?» asked the lawyer.

«Because of the stolen trousers, sir. I’ve got them on».

5. The defence lawyer was cross-examining a witness. He asked, «And you say

you called on Mrs. Jones, May second. Now will you tell the jury what she

said?» «I object the question», interrupted the prosecutor. There was nearly an

hour’s argument between the counsels and finally the judge allowed the

question. «And as I was saying», the defence lawyer began again, «on May

second you called on Mrs. Jones. Now what did she say?» «Nothing», replied

the witness. «She was not at home».

Supplementary Reading

Text№1

 

1. Read and translate two texts which come from a handbook on jury service for US citizens. The following words will help you understand the texts:

Freedom свобода

On the one hand с одной стороны

On the other hand с другой стороны

Legal issue вопрос права, правовая проблема

In order to для того, чтобы

Ability способность, склонность

To keep an open mind оставаться беспристрастным

Common sense здравый смысл

Fair справедливый, честный

Honest честный

To influence влиять, оказывать влияние

Prejudice предубеждение

To challenge оспаривать, заявлять

Experience опыт

Registration record регистрационный архив

To evaluate оценивать, давать оценку

Eligible подходящий, соответствующий

Felony тяжкое уголовное преступление

To meet the requirements удовлетворять требования

To interfere мешать, вредить