Trial by Jury

A jury is a selected group of laymen that hears the 1) _____ in 2) ____ and decides the facts. A courtroom trial in which a 3) _____ decides the fact is called a 4) ____ by jury.

Before each 5) _____ term, a jury commissioner or another public 6) _____ prepares a panel, or large initial 7) ____ of qualified jurors. For each trial, 8) _____ are selected by lot from this 9) _____.

Before the trial begins, the jurors 10) ____ to decide the facts fairly. They hear the 11) ____ given by witnesses for both sides, including 12) ____. Then 13) _____ for each side sum up, or summarize the case, and the 14) ______ explains the applicable law in his instructions to the jury.

In 15) ____ for financial damages, the jury must decide who is at 16) _____ and must determine the amount of 17) _____ to be paid. In criminal cases, the jury must decide whether or not the 18) _____ is guilty “beyond a reasonable doubt”, and then either return a verdict of guilty, or 19) ____ the defendant by a verdict of not guilty. If the verdict is 20) _____ the judge imposes the 21) _____ or punishment, within limits that have been fixed by the 22) ____.

Exercise 7.8 Choose the right answer:

1. Those acting for the defendant propose to appeal ____ the sentence.

a) against b) for c) out d) to

2. The accused man was able to prove his innocence at the trial and was ____.

a) absolved b) acquitted c) forgiven d) pardoned

3. The community was angered by the ____ punishment given their friend.

a) august b) austere c) severe d) vigorous

4. Mr Tipsy was ____ twenty pounds for drinking and driving.

a) charged b) fined c) ordered d) penalized

5. The ringleader was lucky to get ____ a suspended sentence.

a) away b) off with c) through d) through to

6. As it was first offence, the judge gave her a ____ sentence.

a) kind b) lenient c) severe d)tolerant

7. The woman ___ for her husband’s life when he was found guilty of murder.

a) bid b) debated c) disputed d) pleaded

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