Text 3. Classification of Offences

I. Read and translate the text.

Offences can be classified into crimes and violations. A crime may be either a felony, or a misdemeanor.

A felony is a serious crime (murder, rape, treason, etc.). Felonies are punished by death or long-term imprisonment.

A misdemeanor is a less serious crime (battery, shoplifting, larceny of small sums, etc.). Misdemeanors are punished by less severe penalties, such as short-term imprisonment or a conditional sentence.

Violations are not crimes; they are punishable offences (parking in the wrong place, speeding, drunkenness in public places, etc.). Violations are not so dangerous to society as felonies and misdemeanors.

II. Questions to be answered.

1. What 2 categories can offences be classified into?

2. What is a felony?

3. What is a misdemeanor?

4. What are violations?

Text 4. A Crime and a Tort

I. Read and translate the text.

A crime is an act defined and punishable by law. No law is valid ex post facto. There is a distinction between a crime and a tort. A crime is an injury to society and a tort is an injury to an individual. If a person commits a crime, it is the state that brings him into court. If an individual wrongs another individual, it is his adversary that brings him into court.

An offence may be both a crime and a tort.

II. Questions to be answered

1. How is crime defined by law?

2. What is the distinction between a crime and a tort?

3. Who brings an offender into court in case of a crime and in case of a tort?