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The Rules and Language of the Courtroom
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The judicial system is full of traditions and protocol. If you are to
appear in court, it’s good to know the basics.
Before the judge enters the room, the clerk says “All rise”. At this
point, everyone stands up.
You are sworn in by the clerk. Don’t lie when you are under oath.
The result is being charged with perjury.
Speak to the judge clearly and don’t interrupt. Always address the
judge as “Your Honor”. You cannot approach the bench.
Only lawyers are allowed to enter “the well”. Then they talk to the
judge off the record.
Fill in the blanks using words from the text.
lies protocols addressing All rise
There are a large number of 1_________ when appearing in court.
For example, when the clerk says 2 “________”, everyone stands up.
After being sworn in, a person is then under oath. If a person 3______
under oath, he or she risks being charged with perjury. There are also
rules for 4________ the judge.
Read the sentences and choose the correct word.
1. Margaret had to tell the truth because she was (off the record /
under oath).
2. All people in court are expected to (address / interrupt) the judge
as “Your Honor”.
3. The judge told the lawyers to (approach the bench / all rise).
4. The conversation between the attorney and the judge was (off
The record / sworn in).
Choose the word that is closest in meaning to the underlined
Part.
1. When the judge arrived, the clerk said, “Everyone, stand up”.
A approach the bench
B All rise
C Your Honor
2. The prosecutor stood in the area in front of the bench to give
his argument.
A bench
B protocol
C well
3. It is important for people to know the proper rules and
t raditions for attending court.
A oath
B protocol
C record
4. When Miss Ashley was on the witness stand, she was made
t o promise to tell the truth.
A off the record
B sworn in
C interrupted
5. The attorney addressed Judge Lopez as “ the title used to
s how respect for a judge”.
A Your Honor
B Under oath
C Off the record
6. The attorney was annoyed when the witness stopped her
f rom talking by asking a question.
A approached the bench
B addressed
C interrupted
Listen to an attorney and a judge speaking during a trial. Choose
The correct answers.
1 What is the conversation mostly about?
A a witness who is lying
B a request for more time
C a client with new evidence
D an investigation of an attorney
2 What can be inferred about the man?
A He has researched the witness.
B He suspects that his client is lying.
C He expects the judge to stop the trial.
D He believes the witness is telling the truth.
Listen again and complete the conversation.
Attorney: Your Honor, may I have permission to 1 ___ ___ ___?
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Judge: You may.
Attorney: Your Honor, I have 2 ______that this witness attended
college with my client.
Judge: But she just said that she doesn’t know your client.
Attorney: I know. She’s changing her story even though she’s
3 _____ _____.
Judge: Are you accusing the witness of 4 ______?
Attorney: Yes. She should be 5 ______and investigated.
Judge: That’s a serious charge. You need to follow 6 _____
to do that.
Unit 10
Criminal law
Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.
a) Do you think people can commit crimes for a good reason?
b) What do you think is fair punishment for different crimes?
Read the passage and complete the table using information from it.
The Objective of Criminal Law
The purpose of criminal law is to punish people who commit crimes. The type of punishment depends on the crime. Criminals who commit minor crimes such as trespassing usually receive a light punishment. They often get a fine or are put on probation.
When criminals offend many times, they get a heavier punishment. They go to jail. Criminals also go to jail when they are dangerous to others. For example, someone who commits assault and battery gets sent to jail.
Capital punishment is the most serious punishment. It is reserved for the worst crimes, such as murder.
| Punishment | Examples of Crimes | |
| Light Punishment | a fine 1 --------------- | 2 ----------------- |
| Heavy Punishment | 3 --------------- | Assault and battery |
| Capital Punishment | 4 ------------------ |
Choose the answer to the question.
1 Did Hannah receive a fine?
A Yes, she has to go to jail for three months.
B Yes, she has to pay $300.
2 Does the judge agree with capital punishment?
A Yes, he sent the criminal to jail for two years.
B No, he thinks it is wrong to kill people who commit crimes.
3 Why did Mr. Thomas trespass on Mrs. Kennedy’s property?
A His dog got loose and ran into her yard.
B She asked him to help her move some furniture.
4 How do criminals get punished for crimes?
A It depends on what crime they committed.
B They are arrested by the police.
5 Did the judge put Denise on probation?
A No, Denise wasn’t there when the crime happened.
B Yes, but next time she gets in trouble, she is going to jail.
Choose the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the
Underlined part.
1 Kevin was charged with assault and battery.
A walking on private land
B attacking and hurting someone
C killing someone
2 Many criminals offend again when they leave jail.
A commit a crime
B get put on probation
C are punished heavily
3 When someone commits a crime, they need to be punished.
A attacks and hurts another person
B causes someone to suffer for their bad behavior
C does something which is against the law
4 The man was accused of committing murder.
A killing someone
B escaping from jail
C going on someone’s land without permission
5 Mr.Robbins was sentto jail but says he did not commit
the crime.
A a room where trials take place
B a building where criminals are kept
C a place where punishments are given out
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Listen to two lawyers discussing a criminal’s sentence.
Are the following statements true or false?
1 The woman believes that her client deserves probation.
2 This is the first time the woman’s client committed a crime.
3 The man will seek a jail sentence for the woman’s client.
Listen again and complete the conversation.
Defense Lawyer: Let’s talk about sentencing. My client
doesn’t deserve to go to jail. Will you
recommend 1 ________?
Prosecutor: Why would I do that?
Defense Lawyer: His crime wasn’t violent.
He was only 2 _______.
Prosecutor: But he was 3 _______of assault and battery
two yearsago.
Defense Lawyer: Yes, but he was punished for that.
Prosecutor: I’m still recommending that he go to 4 ___.
Defense Lawyer: That seems unnecessary for such a small
5 _____.
Prosecutor: I just don’t want him to 6 _______again
and hurt an innocent person.
Complete a lawyer’s recommendation for sentencing.
Recommendation for Sentencing
I recommend that the defendant _______________________
I feel this way because he ____________________________
I don’t want the defendant to receive a sentence of _________
That sentence would _________________________________
Unit 11
Civil law
Before you read the passage, talk about these questions.
a) What are some reasons why someone takes legal action against
someone else?
b) What are some reasons why courts award money to plaintiffs who
win their cases.
Read the job advertisement for an attorney. Choose the correct
Answer.
Civil Law Attorney
$65,000 per year
The medium-sized city law firm is seeking an attorney with civil law
experience. Primary responsibility is handling tort law cases. Most
cases involve clients suing for monetary damages because of personal
injuries. The attorney assists clients in filing for injunctions when needed. They will also be required to prove liability and establish the
negligence of the defendants. Our clients generally require compensation for medical costs, loss of earnings and punitive damages.
The attorney may also be involved in other cases, including probate and divorce cases.
Please send your resume to the address below:
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