English for Law Students

Vocabulary

1. crime [kraɪm] n

– преступление; нарушение, правонарушение

2. statutory [‘stætjət(ə)rɪ] adj

– установленный, предписанный (законом)

3. purpose [‘pɜːpəs] n

– цель, намерение

4. relevant [‘reləvənt] adj

– релевантный; значимый

5. applicable [‘æplɪkəbl ], [ə’plɪ-] adj

– применимый, подходящий

6. offence [ə’fen(t)s] n

– преступление, правонарушение

7. forbidden [fə’bɪd(ə)n ], [fɔː-] adj

– запретный; запрещённый

8. punishable [‘pʌnɪʃəbl] adj

наказуемый

9. actus reus

– противоправное действие, правонарушение

10. mens rea

– вина

11. violate [‘vaɪəleɪt] v

– нарушать

12. violation [ˌvaɪə’leɪʃ(ə)n] n

– нарушение

13. murder [‘mɜːdə] n

– убийство (предумышленное, совершённое со злым умыслом)

14. rape [reɪp] n

– изнасилование

15. theft [θeft] n

– воровство, кража

16. prohibit [prə’hɪbɪt] v

– запрещать

17. robbery [‘rɔb(ə)rɪ] n

– ограбление (с применением насилия), грабёж; разбой

18. burglary [‘bɜːglərɪ] n

– незаконное проникновение в помещение (с преступными целями); квартирная кража со взломом

19. shoplifting [ʹʃɔp͵lıftıŋ] n

– воровство (покупателей) в магазинах; магазинные кражи

20. kidnapping [‘kɪdnæpɪŋ] n

– киднеппинг, похищение людей

21. hijacking [ʹhaıdʒækıŋ] n

– угон, похищение (самолёта); воздушное пиратство, воздушный бандитизм

22. manslaughter [‘mænˌslɔːtə] n

– непредумышленное убийство

23. arson [‘ɑːs(ə)n] n

– поджог

24. smuggling [‘smʌglɪŋ] n

– контрабанда

25. blackmail [‘blækmeɪl] n

– шантаж; вымогательство

26. forgery [‘fɔːʤ(ə)rɪ] n

– подделка, подлог, фальсификация

27. mugging [‘mʌgɪŋ] n

– грабёж с насилием (бандитское нападение на человека на улице)

28. assault [ə’sɔːlt] n

– нападение, словесное оскорбление и угроза физическим насилием

29. bribery [‘braɪbərɪ] n

– взяточничество

30. criminal code

– уголовный кодекс

31. comprehensive statute

– комплексный, сводный статут

32. investigation [ɪnˌvestɪ’geɪʃ(ə)n] n

– расследование, следствие

33. adhere [əd’hɪə] v

– придерживаться

34. offender [ə’fendə] n

– преступник, правонарушитель

35. sentenced adj

– приговорённый

36. community sentence

– общественные работы

37. imprisonment [ɪm’prɪz(ə)nmənt] n

– заключение (в тюрьму); лишение свободы

38. execution [ˌeksɪ’kjuːʃ(ə)n] n

– смертная казнь

39. tort [tɔːt] n

– деликт, гражданское правонарушение

40. breach of contract

– нарушение контракта

41. capital punishment [ˌkæpɪt(ə)l’pʌnɪʃmənt]

– смертная казнь, высшая мера наказания

42. mace [meɪs] n

– «мейс»; газовый баллончик (по названию торговой марки баллончиков со слезоточивым газом)

43. burglar alarm [ʹbə:gləə͵lɑ:m]

– охранная сигнализация (от воров)

Text

The term crime denotes an unlawful act punishable by a state. The term “crime” does not, in modern criminal law, have any simple and universally accepted definition, though statutory definitions have been provided for certain purposes. The most popular view is that crime is a category created by law; in other words, something is a crime if declared as such by the relevant and applicable law. One proposed definition is that a crime or offence (or criminal offence) is an act harmful not only to some individual or individuals but also to a community, society or the state (“a public wrong”). Such acts are forbidden and punishable by law.

If a person does something illegal, it means that he commits a crime.

Usually, to be classified as a crime, the “act of doing something criminal” (actus reus) must – with certain exceptions – be accompanied by the “intention to do something criminal” (mens rea).

While every crime violates the law, not every violation of the law counts as a crime.

Most people commit a crime some time in their lives, e.g. driving above the speed limit, parking illegally etc.

The notion that acts such as murder, rape and theft are to be prohibited exists worldwide. There are many other types of crime robbery, burglary, shoplifting, kidnapping, hijacking, manslaughter, arson, smuggling, terrorism, blackmail, forgery, drug-trafficking, mugging, assault, bribery, vandalism, football hooliganism etc. What precisely is a criminal offence is defined by criminal law of each country. While many have a catalogue of crimes called the criminal code, in some common law countries no such comprehensive statute exists.

The state (government) has the power to severely restrict one’s liberty for committing a crime. In modern societies, there are procedures to which investigations and trials must adhere. If found guilty, an offender may be sentenced to a form of reparation such as a community sentence, or, depending on the nature of their offence, to undergo imprisonment, life imprisonment or, in some jurisdictions, execution.

Breaches of private law (torts and breaches of contract) are not automatically punished by the state, but can be enforced through civil procedure.

It is better to prevent crimes than to punish them. This is the fundamental principle of good legislation, which is the art of conducting men to the maximum of happiness.

To prevent crimes governments do many things. Police carry guns and are allowed to stop anyone in the street and question them. The courts give tougher punishments than in the past. There is also capital punishment in some countries.

To protect themselves and their property people shouldn’t walk along dark streets late at night on their own; they shouldn’t wear expensive jewelry; they should wear money belt and carry a mace spray; they should lock all the doors and windows and leave lights on when they go out; they should fit burglar alarm etc.

Supplementary texts

Crimes in international law

Crimes defined by treaty as crimes against international law include:

• Crimes against peace

• Crimes of apartheid

• Forced disappearance

• Genocide

• Piracy

• Sexual slavery

• Slavery

• Waging a war of aggression

• War crimes

From the point of view of State-centric law, extraordinary procedures (usually international courts) may prosecute such crimes. Note the role of the International Criminal Court at the Hague in the Netherlands.

Religion and crime

Religious sentiment often becomes a contributory factor of crime. 1819 anti-Jewish riots in Frankfurt where rioters attacked Jewish businesses and destroyed property.

Different religious traditions may promote distinct norms of behaviour, and these in turn may clash or harmonise with the perceived interests of a state. Socially accepted or imposed religious morality has influenced secular jurisdictions on issues that may otherwise concern only an individual’s conscience. Activities sometimes criminalized on religious grounds include (for example) alcohol consumption (prohibition), abortion and stem-cell research. In various historical and present-day societies, institutionalized religions have established systems of earthly justice that punish crimes against the divine will and against specific devotional, organizational and other rules under specific codes, such as Roman Catholic canon law.

Military jurisdictions and states of emergency

In the military sphere, authorities can prosecute both regular crimes and specific acts (such as mutiny or desertion) under martial-law codes that either supplant or extend civil codes in times of (for example) war.

Many constitutions contain provisions to curtail freedoms and criminalize otherwise tolerated behaviors under a state of emergency in the event of war, natural disaster or civil unrest. Undesired activities at such times may include assembly in the streets, violation of curfew, or possession of firearms.

Employee crime

Two common types of employee crime exist: embezzlement and wage theft.

The complexity and anonymity of computer systems may help criminal employees camouflage their operations. The victims of the most costly scams include banks, brokerage houses, insurance companies, and other large financial institutions.