General consideration

intimidation (n.) - устрашение, запугивание;

consent (n.) - разрешение, согласие;

to convict (v.) - осуждать, обвинять;

larceny (n.) - кража, воровство;

intent (n.) - намерение, цель;

regardless (adj.) – не заслуживающий внимания;

offence (n.) - преступление, проступок.

Every crime is made up of certain elements. Elements are the conditions that make an act a crime. A crime cannot be committed unless all its elements are fulfilled. For example, robbery is defined as the unlawful taking of goods or money from someone's person by force or intimidation. Thus, the elements of robbery are the tak­ing of goods or money, the use of force or intimidation, and the lack of consent of the person from whom the goods or money arc taken.

If someone picks your pocket without your knowing it, the person cannot be convicted of robbery. This is because the person did not use force or intimidation—one of the elements of robbery. However, the person could be convicted of larceny, because the elements of larceny do not include the use of force or violence.

Almost all crimes require an act and an intent. Criminal intent means that the person intended or meant to commit a crime. Crimi­nal intent usually involves knowing" and willful action. If a person acts because of a mistake or some other innocent reason, there is no criminal intent.

A few crimes are strict liability offenses. These crimes do not re­quire criminal intent. Strict liability offenses make the act itself a crime regardless of the knowledge of the person committing the act. For example, the law makes it illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to minors. This is true regardless of whether or not the seller knew the buyer was underage.

Intent is different from motive. The motive is the reason a person commits a crime. For example, in murder, the motive is the reason a person kills someone (for revenge, to obtain money, or the like.) A good motive seldom justifies a criminal act. Robin Hood had a good motive. He stole from the rich to give to the poor, but his actions were still unlawful.

A single act can be both a criminal and a civil wrong. For example, if Paul purposely sets fire to Floyd's store, the state may file criminal charges against Paul for arson. Floyd may also bring a separate civil action against Paul to recover for the damage to his store.

Ex. 1. Find the equivalents for the following words and expressions in the text:

размышление, рассуждение, анализ, разбор, рассмотрение, официальный документ, имеющий юридическую силу, намерение, цель, обязанность граждан возмещать ущерб, причиненный в результате какого-либо недоразумения другим лицам, мотив, побуждение, повод; причина; стимул.

Ex. 2. Match the words on the left with the correct definition on the right:

Intimidate	the crime of intentionally starting a fire in order to damage or destroy something, especially a building
Arson	to frighten or threaten someone, usually in order to persuade them to do something that you want them to do
Larceny	stealing, especially the crime of taking something that does not belong to you, without getting illegally into a building to do so
Motive	unlawful taking of goods from somebody by force
Robbery	the reason a person commits a crime

Ex. 3. Fill in the gaps with the suitable words or word combinations

1. Thus, the elements of robbery __________ goods or money, the use of force or intimidation, and the lack of consent of the person from whom the goods or money arc taken.

2. However, the person _________ larceny, because the elements of larceny do not include the use of force or violence.

3. Criminal intent means that the person __________ to commit a crime.

4. For example, the law makes it illegal _______ alcoholic beverages to minors. This is true regardless of whether or not the seller knew the buyer was underage.

5. He stole from the rich ______ the poor, but his actions were still unlawful.

6. Every crime is _________ of certain elements.

7. Strict liability offenses make the act itself a crime regardless of _________ the person committing the act.

8. _________ is different from motive.

9. Criminal intent usually __________ knowing and willful action.

10. A good motive seldom __________ a criminal act.

a) to sell;

b) are the taking of;

c) could be convicted of;

d) intended or meant;

e) to give to;

f) the knowledge of;

g) justifies;

h) made up;

i) intent;

j) involves.

Ex. 4. Answer the questions:

1. What do elements of crime mean?

2. Which three elements of robbery are there?

3. What does criminal intent mean?

4. Can a crime be committed unless all its elements are fulfilled?

5. What is the difference between a intent and a motive?

6. Why has every crime to be made up of several elements?

7. Can you explain why the law makes it illegal to sell alcoholic beverages to minors?

8. Describe other examples of strict liability offenses in your country?

9. Why is it not a criminal intent when the person acts because of a mistake?

Ex. 5. True or false:

1. Everyone who takes thing not being allowed by the owner can be convicted of robbery.

2. Act and intent are the elements of the crime.

3. The motive is a similar thing to the intent.

4. Selling alcohol to the minors is not a crime.

5. Criminal intent means that the person intended to commit a crime.

6. A single act can’t be both a criminal and a civil wrong.

7. Intent is the reason a person commits a crime.

8. Some crimes don’t require criminal intent.

9. The crime can’t be proved unless all its elements are fulfilled.

Ex. 6. Translate the following sentences into English:

1. Грабеж это незаконное изъятие товаров или денег у другого человека силой или запугиванием.

2. Каждое преступление составлено из определенных элементов. Элементы - условия, которые делают любой действенный акт преступлением.

3. Почти все преступления требую акта действия и намерения совершить его, чтобы они были признаны таковыми.

4. Если человек действует по ошибки или по другой невинной причине, то в данном случае отсутствует такой элемент как преступное намерение.

5. Намерение отличается от повода. Повод – это причина, по которой человек совершает преступление. Например, в убийстве, повод – это причина, по которой человек убивает кого - то (для мести, чтобы получить деньги, или подобное.)

6. Хороший повод редко оправдывает преступное действие. Робин Гуд имел хороший повод. Он крал у богатых, чтобы дать бедным, но его действия были незаконны.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14