Vocabulary tasks

A Match the following words and phrases with their Russian equivalents.

1 criminal law a необоснованный иск

2 trial lawyer b обсуждать дело

3 unwarranted claim c разбирать дело

4 to charge with crime d некоммерческая организация

5 to handle a case e работать только на

6 to argue a case f уголовное право

7 to employ full time by g адвокат в суде первой инстанции

8 nonprofit organization h обвинить в преступлении

Text C

What Judges Do

Judges apply the law. They oversee the legal process that in courts of law resolves civil disputes and determines guilt in criminal cases according to Federal and State laws and those of local jurisdictions. They preside over cases touching on virtually every aspect of society, from traffic offenses to disputes over management of professional sports, from the rights of huge corporations to questions of disconnecting life support equipment for terminally ill persons.

Judges often hold pretrial hearings for cases. They listen to allegations and, based on the avidence presented, determine whether they have enough merit for a trial to be held.

When trials are held, juries are often selected to decide cases. However, judges decide cases when the law does not require a jury trial, or when the parties waive their right to a jury. Judges instruct juries on applicable laws, direct them to deduce the facts from the evidence presented, and hear their verdict. Judges sentence those convicted in criminal cases in many States. They also award relief to litigants including, where appropriate, compensation for damages in civil cases.

Vocabulary

allegation n заявление, утверждение

applicable adj соответствующий

apply v применять, использовать

assign v передавать

award relief предоставить средства судебной защиты

chamber n контора адвоката

clerical staff n клерки

compliance n соблюдение / выполнение правовых норм

constitute v составлять

felony n уголовное преступление; фелония

litigant n тяжущаяся сторона, сторона по делу

merit n конкретное обстоятельство; существо; повод

misdemeanour n проступок

oversee v надзирать

pending впредь до

pleading n ходатайство

sentence v выносить приговор

terminally ill смертельно больной

transcend v превышать, выходить за пределы

virtually adj фактически

waive v отказываться

Reading tasks

Answer these questions.

1 How do you define “judge”?

2 What cases do judges preside over?

3 What do they insure?

4 How do judges hold pretrial hearings for cases?

5 How do judges work with juries?

6 How do judges’ duties vary?

Vocabulary tasks

A Match the following English legal phrases with their Russian equivalents.

1 civil dispute a председательствовать на судебном

процессе

2 pretrial hearing b вводить ограничения

3 compensation for damages c суд присяжных

4 apply the law d рассматривать дело

5 preside over case e тяжкое преступление

6 impose restrictions f отрасли права

7 jury trial g гражданский спор

8 try a case h возмещение ущерба

9 felony offense (-ce) i досудебное слушание дела

10 areas of law j применять закон