There are three categories of crimes in the UK: indictable, summary, and either way crimes. Indictable offences are the most serious ones and are punishable by the longest prison terms. They include murder, rape and robbery and can only be tried in the Crown Court. Summary offences are the least serious ones, such as speeding and drunk-driving. Summary trials are heard in magistrates’ courts. Either-way offences can be heard either in the Crown Court or by magistrates. Examples of either way offences include theft, drug offences and less serious physical violence. A magistrate can decide that an either-way offence is serious enough to be heard in the Crown Court where the penalties prescribed can be more severe. If, however, a magistrate decides that an either-way offence can be heard as a summary trial, the defendant can choose to move the trial to the Crown Court. An important aspect of criminal law is that in most crimes the prosecution has to prove two elements. The first, actus reus, refers to the criminal act itself. The second, mens rea, refers to the intent to commit a crime –‘guilty mind’. However, in some cases, such as drunk driving or speeding, the prosecution does not have to prove intent. Such offences are said to be of ‘strict liability’. Types of serious crimes in most jurisdictions are: arson, theft, sexual offences, terrorism. In common law arson is setting fire to the dwelling of another person. Theft sometimes is still known by the traditional name of larceny which probably is the most common crime involving criminal intent. The traditional definition of theft is the physical removal of an object without the consent of the owner. Burglary is entering a building, inhabited vehicle or vessel to steal, to inflict bodily harm or to do unlawful damage. In English law, any entry by an individual into a building with intent to commit theft is burglary. Robbery is the commission of theft in circumstances of violence. Robbery takes many forms –from the mugging of a stranger in the street to robberies of banks, involving numerous participants and careful planning.
Words: indictable offences -уголовные преступления; summary offences - преступления, преследуемые в порядке суммарного судопроизводства; either-way offences – прочие правонарушения; actus reus - состав преступления; mens rea - преступный умысел; strict liability - строгая ответственность; arson - поджог; larceny – воровство; burglary – кража со взломом;
robbery – грабеж
2. Письменно ответьте на следующие во Исправьте следующие предложения:
1. There are four categories of crimes in the UK. 2. The most serious crimes are summary offences. 3. Theft is the physical removal of an object with the consent of the owner. 4. In English law, any entry by an individual into a building to commit theft is robbery.
2.Paul asked his grandpa if he remembered that day.
3.Bob’s teacher asked him if he was listening to her.
4.Polly asked Mike if he would join the game.
5.Paul asked his mom if Mary had closed the window in the morning.
6.Larry’s grandma asked me if the children were in swimming at the time.
7.Maria asked Nick where he was waiting for he.
8.Mr Wilson asked his neighbour if he could repeat the phone number.
9.Harry asked us how much TV cost.
10.Mellisa asked her mom if it would snow next.
1. I promise, I will pay you back at the end of the week.
2. Don't worry, I will have taken care of everything by the time you get back.
3. After Tom finished eating, he took a walk before he returned home.
4. If you are tired, we don't have to go shopping.
5. What will she buy him for his birthday?
6. Granny will have cooked dinner by the time we come home.
7. I won't give it to you until you say "please".
8. Sue drank two cups of coffee buy the time she left for her office.
9. In September he had his car for five months.
10. By eleven o'clock tommorrow our manager will phone all the clients.
11. What time will Jim return this evening? He will return by six.
12. My mother will come home at seven. I will do all the lessons by the time she comes.