36   I can describe the justice system

A    A police investigation

A crime is reported to the police, usually by the victim.

The police investigate it. The victim and witnesses tell the police what they know.

The police may take fingerprints, or take photos where the crime took place.

If possible, they catch the suspect and arrest him.

If there is enough evidence, they will charge the suspect and he will go to court.

 

Glossary

report sth  give information that sth has happened.

victim  a person who has been robbed, injured, etc.

investigate sth  try to find out about sth.

witness  a person who sees sth happen (e.g. a crime or an accident).

may  we use may to say that sth is possible. SYN might.

take place  happen.

catch sb PT caught PP caught  find and hold sb.

suspect  a person who the police think has committed a crime.

evidence  facts, signs, or objects that make you believe sth is true.

charge sb  (of the police) say officially that they believe sb has done sth illegal. 

2     Answer the questions. One question has more than one answer.

►   Who has to find the evidence? ~ The police

1     Who takes fingerprints? ________

2     Who is charged? ________

3     Who investigates the crime? ________

4     Who is hurt by the crime? ________

5     Who is caught? ________

6     Who usually reports the crime? ________

7     Who is arrested? ________

8     Who sees the crime take place? ________

1     The police

2     The suspect  

3     The police

4     The victim

5     The suspect

6     The victim; A witness

7     The suspect

8     A witness; witnesses

3   Test yourself. Cover the words in the glossary and look at the meanings. Can you remember the words?

 

B    In court

In Britain, serious crimes such as robbery and murder are tried by a judge¹ and jury². At the trial, the prosecution aims to prove that the accused³ (or defendant) has committed the crime; the defence aims to prove he is innocent.

At the end, the jury decides whether the defendant is guilty or not guilty. If he is guilty, he is sentenced by the judge. He may get a fine or a prison sentence.

Glossary

try sb  ask questions and listen to evidence in court to decide if sb has done sth illegal.

trial  an examination of evidence in court to decide if sb has done sth illegal.

the prosecution  the lawyers who try to prove that the accused person has committed a crime. prosecute sb V.

prove sth  give evidence to show that sth is true. proof N.

the defence  the lawyers who try to prove that the accused person has not committed the crime. defend sb V.

innocent  If you are innocent, you have done nothing wrong. OPP guilty.

sentence sb  tell sb who is guilty what they will have to do, e.g. go to prison. sentence N.

fine  a sum of money you have to pay if you break a law. fine sb V. 

6     Test yourself. Cover the glossary meanings and look at the words. Can you remember the meanings?