Comprehension
Task I. Complete the following sentences translating the words in brackets.
There is a great difference between (уголовными и гражданскими) cases.
Civil (дела) are usually disputes between or among private citizens, corporations, governments, government agencies, and other organizations.
Most often the party (возбуждающая гражданский иск) is asking for money damages for some wrong that has been done.
(Сторона) bringing the suit is called (истец).
The party (отвечающая в суде) is called (ответчик).
The plaintiff starts the (судебный процесс) by filing a paper called (исковое заявление).
The defendant disputes what the plaintiff has said in the complaint and files the paper called (возражение по делу).
Along with the answer the defendant may file (встречный иск) if he feels that a wrong has been committed by the plaintiff.
It’s the plaintiff who must (доказать дело) against the defendant.
A burden that the plaintiff must meet in order to win is called (бремя доказывания).
The plaintiff must prove the case by a (наличием более веских доказательств).
A criminal case is (возбуждается) by the state or by a city or county against a person or persons accused of having committed a crime.
The party starting a (уголовный) action is called (обвинение).
A person or entity against whom a criminal action is brought is called (подсудимый).
The charge against the defendant is called (обвинение в совершении преступления).
The defendant’s (невиновность) is presumed throughout the entire trial unless the plaintiff (доказывает виновность подсудимого).
(Бремя доказывания) is greater in a criminal case than in a civil case.
The plaintiff must prove the guilt of the defendant (при отсутствии малейших сомнений) before the defendant can be found guilty.
(Различие) between civil and criminal law is of considerable importance.
Task II. Complete the following sentences.
A civil case is a dispute between _____________.
The party bringing the suit is called _____________.
The party being sued is called ____________.
The plaintiff starts the lawsuit by filing _______________.
The defendant files the answer in which he ______________.
The defendant may also file a counterclaim if he ______________.
The plaintiff must prove the case against _______________.
The plaintiff must meet a burden of ______________.
In most civil cases the plaintiff proves the case by a preponderance of evidence, that is ___________.
A criminal case is brought by __________________.
The party bringing a criminal action is called ________________.
The accused person in a criminal action is called ___________.
The charge against the defendant is called _____________.
You should presume the defendant’s innocence unless _________.
The plaintiff must prove the case against the defendant beyond __________.
The plaintiff’s burden of proof in a criminal case is ____________.
Task III. Answer the following questions on the text.
What is a civil case?
What is the party bringing a civil action called?
What is a defendant?
How does a plaintiff start the lawsuit?
What is a civil complaint?
What paper does the defendant file?
What is an answer?
In what case is the counterclaim filed?
Who must prove the case?
How must the plaintiff prove the case against the defendant?
What is a criminal case?
What is a party bringing a criminal action called?
What is the accused person in a criminal action called?
What paper is filed by the prosecution?
What is an information?
What is presumed throughout the trial?
How does the prosecution prove the case against the defendant?
Why is the plaintiff’s burden of proof greater in a criminal case?
Have we got the same distinction between criminal and civil cases in Russia?
Task IV. Explain what the following means:
An action.
A
n answer.
Burden of proof.
Criminal complaint.
Civil complaint.
Counterclaim.
Damages.
Defendant (crim.).
Defendant (civil).
Impeachment of a witness.
Information.
Presumption of innocence.
Direct examination.
Cross-examination.
Task V. Have you had an experience of attending or participating in the trial? Share your experience with a person sitting next to you.
Task VI. Give a summary of the text “Kinds of Cases”.