An arrest

The police play an important role in protecting citizens from crime. Police have the power to investigate which often means to stop and question people, to arrest criminals, etc. The society gives police the right to use force if necessary.

What is an arrest? When is a person “under arrest”? Are you under arrest only if the police officer says that you are? Are you under arrest if a policeman stops you in the street and asks you to explain why you are there and what you are doing? Are you under arrest if a police officer asks you to follow him to the police station?

These are difficult questions to answer. The answers are not clear even to police officers and judges themselves. Basically there are two views. Some people say that a person is under arrest the moment the police officer comes up to him and restrains his freedom to walk away. Others say that an arrest is an intent of the police officer to take a person to the police station to charge him with crime. What do you think?

XIV. Найдите в тексте “B” эквиваленты следующих словосочетаний и фраз:

1. играть важную роль; защищать граждан от преступлений; иметь полномочия проводить расследования; арестовать преступников; находиться под арестом; полицейский участок; трудный вопрос; ограничить свободу; намерение полицейского; сопроводить человека в полицейский участок; обвинить кого-либо в преступлении.

2. Общество дает полиции право использовать силу в случае необходимости.

3. Арестованы ли Вы, если полицейский говорит, что это так?

4. Находитесь ли Вы под арестом, если полицейский останавливает Вас на улице и просит объяснить, почему Вы здесь находитесь и что Вы делаете?

5. Арестованы ли Вы, если полицейский просит Вас проследовать за ним в полицейский участок?

6. На эти вопросы трудно ответить.

7. Ответы на эти вопросы неясны даже самим полицейским и судьям.

XV. Попытайтесь ответить на последний вопрос текста “С”, организовав ролевую игру. Для проведения ролевой игры разделите всех присутствующих студентов на несколько групп, представляющих различные точки зрения, и организуйте дискуссию по данному вопросу.

XVI. Прочтите и перескажите своим друзьям английские шутки:

The police charge a man with stealing a horse. After a long trial the jury acquits him. Some time later the man comes back to see the judge.

“Judge,” he says, “I ask you to arrest my lawyer. He is a bad man.”

“What is the matter?” asks the judge in surprise. “Didn’t he win your case? Why do you ask me to arrest your lawyer?”

“Well, it is this way, sir,” answers the man. “You see, I don’t have the money to pay my lawyer. So he wants to take the horse I stole.”

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to steal (stole) a horse – украсть (украл) лошадь

to acquit smb - оправдать кого-либо

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It is interesting to know that…

…a 1975 Gallup poll shows that Latin America has the highest crime rate in the world. Next comes Africa and then the United States. According to this poll, people from richer countries report themselves happier, find their lives more interesting, worry less, and want fewer changes in their existence than those from more impoverished nations. Only 8 per cent of Latin Americans and 6 per cent of Africans are satisfied with their lives.

… the nation with the highest murder rate in the world is Nicaragua – there are 30 homicides per 100,000 people every year. In 1975 the western nation with the lowest murder rate was Spain, with one killing per million people per year.

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a poll – опрос общественного мнения

the crime rate – уровень преступности

an impoverished nation – обнищавшая нация

homicide – убийство