Crime. Investigation. Accusation

A. READ AND FULLFIL TWO TASKS. DISCUSS THEM IN GROUP.

1. Upon coming to his store one morning at 7:00 am, the owner finds a drunken man inside, the window broken, two empty Pepsi bottles, two empty candy bar wrappers, and a 1/2 used pack of cigarettes on the floor from his products. Total value of the loss, including the broken window, is $100. The police are called, and the man taken into custody. Five years earlier, this man had committed a similar crime without violence. The law of the State provides that if he is convicted of this crime, he must be sent to prison for two years, without probation. Each year of prison will cost the State $20,000.

Forgetting the law entirely, what alternative ways can you suggest for dealing with this case, starting with the moment of arrest?

2. When 18 years of age, a man forges a check for $25, is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to probation. At age 22, he breaks into a clothing store at night and steals $100 of clothing, is caught, convicted, and sentenced to one year in prison. At age 26, he forges a check for $50 and is arrested before leaving the store.Under the law of the State, the Prosecutor has the option of charging this person as an habitual offender. He elects to do so. The penalty for forgery is as high as eight years in prison. If he is convicted as an habitual offender, the sentence must be increased by 30 years, and probation may not be granted.In this State, there are a number of State Supreme Court cases which say: “It is not legal error to not tell a Jury the possible penalties if they enter a conviction of guilt.” There are also a number of cases which say: “No attorney may inform the Jury that they have the right to make the law null and void in any case.” The judge gives an instruction of law to the Jury which says:“Ladies and gentlemen of the Jury, you are the judges of the law as well as of the facts. However, you may not so judge the law as to make it of no force or effect whatsoever.”

In the middle of its deliberations, the jury sends out a question to the judge: “What does it mean if we find the defendant to be a habitual offender?” What do you, as judge, answer back?

B. Work in pairs. Imagine you are a store detective. Tell a journalist about the problem of shop — lifting in your department — store.

C. Find arguments for and against the death penalty.

D. Present your practice work to a colleague.