Прочитайте текст и выполните задания.
Criminal courts
1. Both criminal and civil courts in England and Wales primarily hear evidence and aim to determine what exactly happened in a case. Broadly speaking, the lower courts decide matters of fact and the upper courts normally deal with points of law. About 95% of all criminal eases in England and Wales are tried in the Magistrates’ Courts which deal with petty crimes, that is, less serious ones. In certain circumstances the court may commit an accused person to the Crown Court for more severe punishment, either by way of a fine or imprisonment.
2. Except in cases of homicide, children under 14 and young persons – that is, minors between 14 and 17 years of age – must always be tried summarily, meaning without a jury, by a Youth Court. A Youth Court is a branch of the Magistrates' Court. Indictable offences, that is, more serious ones such as theft, assault, drug dealing, and murder, are reserved for trial in the Crown Court. In almost all criminal cases, the State, in the name of the Crown, prosecutes a person alleged to have committed a crime.
3. In England and Wales, a jury of twelve people decides whether the defendant is guilty of the crime she or he is charged with. The Crown Court may hear cases in circuit areas. From the Crown Court, appeal against conviction or sentence lies to the Criminal Division of the Court of Appeal. If leave to appeal is granted by that court, cases may go on appeal to the House of Lords.
Основной идеей текста является …
In England and Wales, magistrates’ courts deal with petty crimes i.e. less serious ones which constitute 95% of all crimes in the country.
Minors under seventeen are tried without a jury in a Youth Court which is special kind of a magistrates’ court if it’s not a case of homicide.
Appeals from the Crown Court go to the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal and then if leave to appeal is granted they may go to the House of Lords.
The system of criminal courts in England includes magistrates’ courts, crown courts (with or without a jury), the Court of Appeal, and the House of Lords.
