Learn the words to read and translate the text.

 

1. jurisdiction [ˎʤuəris′dikʃən] – отправление правосудия; юрисдикция; судебная практика; to have jurisdiction over a case — отправлять правосудие по какому-л. делу
2. trial court - суд первой инстанции
3. district court - окружной суд
4. small claims court - суд малых исков (суд мелких тяжб). Суд первой инстанции, рассматривающий претензии частных лиц к другим частным лицам или компаниям по делам, обычно связанным с нарушением прав потребителей, долговыми обязательствами и т.д. Максимальная сумма иска - 2 тыс. долларов (компенсация выплачивается только наличными). Судопроизводство по таким делам значительно упрощено. Дело рассматривается судьей или, при согласии сторон, арбитром, в роли которого может выступать адвокат. Решение является окончательным и обжалованию не подлежит
5. Supreme Court - Верховный суд
6. attorney-at-law - адвокат в суде; поверенный в суде; лицензированный адвокат Дипломированный юрист, имеющий лицензию на право заниматься адвокатской практикой от властей штата и коллегии адвокатов.
7. defen c e attorney - атторней защиты; адвокат, защитник
8. public defender - государственный защитник
9. Assistant District Attorney (ADA) - помощник окружного прокурора

 

 

In the US the judicial system is presented by state, county, city and federal courts. The right to trial by jury is provided by the Constitution. Each type of court has its own jurisdiction. Both civil and criminal cases are first heard in trial courts. There is a right to appeal against the court's decision in a court of appeal (a superior court or a district court). Many states have family courts. There are small claims courts which deal with small amounts of money.

Most states have a supreme court where the most serious appeals are held. States have their own criminal code. Some crimes are federal offences. They may fall under federal jurisdiction if more than one state is involved.

Most courts have only one judge. Some higher courts have several judges. In the US Supreme Court the nine judges are called justices. Cases are represented by lawyers called attorneys-at-law. In a criminal trial the defendant is represented by a defen s e attorney. The court can appoint a public defender. The prosecution is led by an assistant district attorney or, in federal cases, by a federal attorney.

 

Types of Legal Professions in UK

SOLICITORS

Solicitors deal with all the day-today work of preparing legal documents for buying and selling houses, making wills, etc. They also work on court cases for their clients, prepare cases for barristers to present in the higher courts, and may represent their client in a Magistrates' court.

BARRISTERS

Barristers defend or prosecute in the higher courts. Although solicitors and barristers work together on cases, barristers specialize in representing clients in court and the training and career structures for the two types of lawyer are quite separate. In court, barristers wear wigs and gowns in keeping with the extreme formality of the proceedings. The highest level of barristers have the title QC (Queen's Counsel).

JUDGES

There are a few hundred judges, trained as barristers, who preside in more serious cases. There is no separate training for judges.

 

Judges in Great Britain

In Britain, the vast majority of judges are unpaid. They are called "Magistrates", or "Justices of the Peace" (JPs). They are ordinary citizens who are selected not because they have any legal training but because they have "sound common sense" and understand their fellow human beings. They give up time voluntarily.

A small proportion of judges are not Magistrates. They are called "High Court Judges" and they deal with the most serious crimes, such as those for which the criminal might be sent to prison for more than a year. High Court Judges, unlike Magistrates, are paid salaries by the State and have considerable legal training.

Magistrates are selected by special committees in every town and district. Nobody, not even the Magistrates themselves, knows who is on the special committee in their area. The committee tries to draw Magistrates from as wide a variety of professions and social classes as possible.

JURY

A jury consist of twelve people ("jurors"), who are ordinary people chosen atjandom from the Electoral Register (the list of people who can vote in elections). The jury listen to the evidence given in court in certain criminal cases and decide whether the defendant is guilty or innocent. If the person is found guilty, the punishment is passed by the presiding judge. Juries are rarely used in civil cases.

MAGISTRATES

Magistrates (Justices of the Peace or JPs) judge cases in the lower courts. They are usually unpaid and have no formal legal qualifications, but they are respectable people who are given some training.

CORONERS

Coroners have medical or legal training (or both), and inquire into violent or unnatural deaths.

CLERKS OF THE COURT

Clerks look after administrative and legal matters in the courtroom.