THE ORIGIN OF THE JURY SYSTEM

 

Nobody knows exactly the origin of the jury system: perhaps, in old Europe, beginning with inquisition. Trial by jury begins in England by the Normans in 1066. We know ordeals in old Europe. Ordeal is a judgement of the truth. God decides who is guilty or not. The most common ordeal is by fire or water. For example, people say, a woman is a witch. They tie her arms and legs and drop her into the water. If the water takes her at once she is innocent. If not she is guilty.

In 1215, by the Catholic Church decision, the trial by ordeal is called superstition, and priests cannot take part in it. As a result, the jury system becomes a new method of trial.

The role of the jury now is to decide facts on the basis of what they hear in court.

 

XI. Найдите в тексте “B” эквиваленты следующих слов и словосочетаний:

знать точно; происхождение; возможно; инквизиция; суд присяжных; тяжелое испытание; «суд божий»; суд правды; испытание огнем или водой; ведьма; бросить в воду; невиновный; виновный.

 

XII. Найдите в тексте “В” предложения, отвечающие на следующие вопросы:

1. Известно ли точно происхождение суда присяжных?

2. Что такое «суд божий»?

 

XIII. Прочтите и перескажите своим друзьям английские шутки:

A jury consists of twelve persons who must decide who has the better lawyer.

_____________

to consist of – состоять из…

* * *

It is interesting to know that…

… the average life expectancy in Bangladesh is thirty-five years. Forty-five per cent of those who die are mothers and children. A child has only a fifty-fifty chance of living past five. Yet in this country only 11 per cent of the population visit doctors, at least once.

… the average life expectancy for women in the United States is nearly twice what it was a hundred years ago.

______________

the average life expectancy – средняя продолжительность жизни

* * *

The jury acquits a man accused of stealing a watch on insufficient evidence. Outside the courtroom he comes up to his lawyer and asks, “What does this mean – to acquit?”

“It means,” says the lawyer, “that the court finds you innocent. You are free to go.”

“Does it mean that I can keep the watch?” asks the client.

______________

to acquit smb – оправдать кого-либо

a man accused of stealing a watch – мужчина, обвиняемый в краже часов

on insufficient evidence – за недостатком улик

innocent – невиновен

to keep the watch – зд. оставить в себя часы

 

UNIT 9

POLICE WORK