US Attorneys

The Justice Department is responsible for faithful execution of the laws under the president's authority. The main administrators of federal law enforcement are the ninety-four US attorneys, appointed by the president with the advice and consent of the Senate. Unlike federal judges, these appointees serve at the pleasure of the president and are expected to relinquish their positions when the reins of government change hands.

There is a US attorney in each federal judicial district. Their staffs of assistant attorneys vary in size with the amount of litigation in the district. US attorneys have considerable discretion, which makes them powerful political figures in any community. Their decision to prosecute or not affects the wealth, freedom, rights, and reputation of individuals and organizations in the district.

US attorneys are political appointees who often harbour political ambitions. Their position commands media attention and can serve political goals. In 1983 President Reagan appointed Rudolph Giuliani as US attorney for the Southern District of New York (covering a large portion of the New York metropolitan area). Over the next five years, Giuliani notched his briefcase with dozens of successful prosecutions of elected officials, judges, organized crime figures, and Wall Street inside traders. Giuliani's activities generated reels and reams of favourable press coverage, he even appeared on a Newsweek cover. This kind of public exposure can help a US attorney launch a successful career in elected office. As a powerful prosecutor or potential opponent, Giuliani's name must make some politicians shudder.

5. Paraphrase the following expressions.

a) faithful execution of laws;

b) under somebody's authority;

c) consent;

d) appointee;

e) to relinquish;

f) amount of litigation;

g) to prosecute; h) elected office; i) inside traders; j) press coverage;

k) to harbour political ambitions;

1) to launch a career.

6. Answer the questions.

1. What is an attorney in the US? How is he appointed?

2. When does an attorney resign?

3. What does the number of assistant attorneys in federal judicial districts depend on?

4. What makes attorneys so important in American communities?

5. How do attorneys in the US realize their political ambitions?

6. What example in the text proves that US attorneys harbour political ambitions?

7. Work in pairs. Discuss the difference between the American and British lawyers.

8. Put this story in the correct order. The first event has been given.

a they found both men guilty.

b and charged them with the robbery.

c £10,000 was stolen from a bank in the High Street. – 1

d After the jury had listened to all the evidence

e The judge gave the men a prison sentence of five years.

f The trial took place two months later.

g and they finally arrested two men.

h They questioned them at the police station

i The police interviewed a number of witnesses about the crime

9. Fill the gaps with the correct word.

1.A: Have you ever....................... the law?

B: No, never.

2. A: Does anyone know why she.................. the crime?

B: I think she needed the money.

3. A: Is it legal to ride a motorbike without a license?

B: No, it's the law.

4. In Britain it is........................ to drive a car without insurance.

5. If you drive through a red light, you will have to pay a.........

6. The defendant must try to.................... he or she is innocent.

7. The jury must decide if the defendant is innocent or...........

8. Before they reach a decision, the jury must look at the ……………. carefully.

9. If someone is guilty of murder, the................ will be at least ten years in prison.

10. He has been in trouble before, but it was only a minor........

10. Read the information below, then answer the questions below, based on your knowledge of the law in your own country.

Two 15-year-old boys broke into a house when the owner was out, and took money and jewellery worth about £900. The owner reported the crime when she got home at 6 pm.

1 Will the police investigate this crime?

2 How will they investigate? What will they do?

3 Do you think the police will catch the two boys?

4 If they do, what crime will they be charged with?

5 Can boys of this age go to prison?

6 What do you think the sentence would be? Do you think this is the correct sentence?