law and order Flashcards
what types of case would be heard in the crown court
serious cases - judge and jury eg. murder, rape,drugs serious assault
what types of cases would be heard in the criminal court
less serious cases - 3 magistrates e.g. minor drugs, assault, fraud(low amount) and theft (not violent)
what types of cases would be heard in the civil court
court disputes e.g. child custody, divorce, money disputes
what types of cases does the industrial court hear?
tribunal
work place issues and disputes - e.g. discrimination, pay and conditions and unfair dismissal
what is the role of the magistrate?
- listen to the evidence
- decide guilt or innocence
- decide punishment
what does ‘community service order’ mean?
form of punishment where convicted person is asked to carry out unpaid work in local community to make amends for crime
describe the function of crown prosecution service (CPS)
look at evidence the police have gathered and decides whether to take a person to court or not
identify ANTI- discrimination laws in the UK
sexuality, racial, age, religion, gender
what is the difference between judge and magistrate
pay - judges are highly paid, magistrates are volunteers and not paid
clothes- judges wear wig and gown and magistrates a suit
qualifications - judges are fully qualified and M just trained
court location - crown court for judge and magistrates court for M
what are special constables
volunteer community police officers that patrol the streets supporting the community - can do citizen arrests
what are anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs?)
punishment given to younger people and it bans people form certain areas and places at certain times
what is the defendant, witness, barrister and jury
defendant - person accused of crime
witness - someone with relevant info to crime
barrister - person who represents people in court case
jury - 12 jury members who listen to evidence in crown court and decide guilty or innocent
who passes the law in this country
parliament passes it, queen signs it off
what informs the law and who is the chief constable?
police enforce law
chief constable- in charge of day-to-day management of police
what are the four main reasons for having punishments for committing crimes in UK?
retribution - justice
deterrent - put people off crimes if no punishment
rehabilitation - change behaviour of criminal
safety of public - keep general public safe
what are the types of punishments issued in court
custodial (prison), community service, tagging (curfew), fine
what are your legal rights in the UK
- right to lawyer
- right to be classed as innocent until proven guilty
- right to fair trial
- right to be heard by jury
how are juries selected?
every citizens who are selected randomly from electoral register - decide verdict in court
who cannot be on a jury?
convicted criminals, not on electoral register,
homeless people, people with mental health issues, under 18’
what may contribute to some young people committing crimes?
poverty, peer pressure
what might magistrates and judges take into account when sentencing a convicted person?
mental health, seriousness of crime and impact on victim, offenders personal circumstances act.
what does ‘miscarriage of justice’ mean?
when there is a wrong outcome in court verdict
what impact does crime have on a community
- increase taxes to repair community damages
- np-one wants to live in place with high-crime rate
low morale amongst community
what does CRE stand for?
commission fo racial equality - assist citizens that have been victims of racial abuse or discrimination - offer advice and guidance
why do some people think you should at able to vote at 16?
- have sex and become parent
- pay taxes when employed
- sign up for armed forces
give ways the juvenile court case differs form case in magistrates court
- public not allowed in
- accompanied by adult
- no media publication in most cases
- less formal
what is the role of jury
to listen to all evidence and decide if person is innocent or guilty
who passes sentences in youth court?
judge - no jury and no members of public allowed in
how are laws passed?
parliament - HoC
bill - draft of new law to be dated in Hoc
what is the civil service
people employed by government to carry out the policies of government and advice the government
who an bring about legal change and fight injustice
pressure groups, trade unions, charities, voluntary groups, public institutions and public services
