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In this scenario, the tension is high as law enforcement engages in an arrest of a suspect accused of serious crimes. The police follow strict procedures, ensuring the suspect's rights are upheld while pressing forward with the investigation. From being pulled over in a vehicle to facing interrogation in a station, the suspect finds themselves navigating the legal system with mounting uncertainty. As the process unfolds, terms like "arrest," "warrant," and "custody" take on real-life significance. In the following exercises, you'll delve deeper into the vocabulary and grammar used in situations like this one.
Processing the Arrest
- Police: "Sir, put your hands up and step out of the vehicle."
- Criminal: "What's going on? Why do you want me to do that?"
- Police: "We have a warrant for your arrest. You are being charged with theft and robbery."
- Criminal: "I didn't do it, I swear. I was at home all night."
- Police: "We have witnesses and evidence linking you to the crimes. You need to come with us to the station to answer some questions."
- Criminal: "Do I need to call a lawyer?"
- Police: "You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be appointed to you. Please step out of the vehicle now."
- Criminal: "Okay, okay. I'm coming out."
At police car
- Police: "Please turn around and place your hands behind your back."
- Criminal: "Is this really necessary? I'm telling you, I'm innocent."
- Police: "We have to follow proper procedures. Now turn around and place your hands behind your back."
- Criminal: "Fine." turns around and puts hands behind back
- Police: places handcuffs on criminal "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. Do you understand?"
- Criminal: "Yes, I understand my rights."
- Police: "Alright, let's get you in the car and head to the station."
- Criminal: "Can you at least tell me what evidence you have against me?"
- Police: "I'm sorry, I can't disclose that information at this time. You'll have the opportunity to speak with your lawyer and get more information about the case at the station."
- Criminal: "This is crazy. I can't believe this is happening."
- Police: "I understand this is a difficult situation. We will do our best to make sure your rights are protected throughout the process." opens car door and assists criminal into back seat
At police department office
- Police: leading criminal into an interrogation room "Have a seat. Someone will be with you shortly to take your statement."
- Criminal: sitting down at the table "I still can't believe this is happening. I didn't do anything wrong."
- Police: "We'll get to the bottom of it. Just try to relax and answer the questions to the best of your ability."
- a detective enters the room and introduces themselves
- Detective: "Hello, I'm Detective Smith. I'll be taking your statement today. Can you please tell me your name and date of birth?"
- Criminal: "My name is John Doe and my date of birth is January 1st, 1990."
- Detective: "Thank you, John. Now, can you tell me where you were on the night of the robbery?"
- Criminal: "Like I said, I was at home. I didn't leave my apartment all night."
- Detective: "Can anyone verify your whereabouts?"
- Criminal: "I was home alone, so no. But I'm telling you the truth."
- Detective: "I see. Well, we have witnesses who saw you at the scene of the crime and we have evidence linking you to the robbery. Can you explain that?"
- Criminal: "I can't explain it. Like I said, I'm innocent."
- Detective: "Okay, John. Thank you for your time. We'll be in touch." stands up to leave the room
- Criminal: "Wait, what happens now? Am I going to jail?"
- Detective: "We'll have to wait for the evidence to be processed and the case to be reviewed by the prosecutor. In the meantime, you'll be held in custody. You can speak with a lawyer and start building your defense."
- Criminal: "This is a nightmare. I can't believe this is happening."
- Detective: "I understand this is a difficult situation. We'll do our best to get to the truth." exits the room
Related Words
- Arrest: The act of detaining someone by the authorities, typically on suspicion of having committed a crime.
- Warrant: A legal document issued by a court or government agency authorizing the police or other law enforcement agencies to perform certain actions, such as arresting someone or searching their property.
- Theft: The act of taking something without the owner's consent, with the intention of permanently depriving them of it.
- Robbery: The crime of taking something from someone using force or the threat of force.
- Lawyer: A person who practices law, representing clients in legal matters and providing legal advice.
- Interrogation: The act of questioning someone, typically a suspect in a crime, in order to obtain information or a confession.
- Detective: A police officer who investigates crimes and gathers evidence to solve cases.
- Statement: A written or spoken account of something that has happened or been said.
- Custody: The state of being detained or held by the authorities, especially in a prison or police station.
- Prosecutor: A lawyer who represents the state or government in criminal cases and decides whether to bring charges against a suspect.
- Defense: A legal argument or evidence presented in court to prove a person's innocence or to mitigate the severity of a crime.
- Suspect: A person who is believed to have committed a crime or to be involved in a criminal activity.
- Evidence: Information, typically in the form of physical objects or testimony, that is presented in a court of law to support a particular fact or assertion.
- Confession: A formal admission of guilt or wrongdoing, typically made to the authorities or in a court of law.
- Witness: A person who has firsthand knowledge of an event or situation, typically through personal observation, and is able to provide testimony about it in a court of law.
- Arrest warrant: A legal document issued by a court that authorizes the police to arrest someone.
- Search warrant: A legal document issued by a court that authorizes the police to search a specific location for evidence related to a crime.
- Bail: Money or other collateral deposited with the court by a criminal defendant as a guarantee that they will appear for their court proceedings.
- Mirandize: To read a suspect their Miranda rights, which are a set of warnings given by the police in the United States to criminal suspects in police custody or in a custodial interrogation.
- Plea bargain: A negotiation between a prosecutor and a criminal defendant in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to a lesser charge in exchange for a lighter sentence or a dismissal of other charges.
Questions
- Why did the police ask the criminal to step out of the vehicle?
- What crimes was the criminal being charged with?
- What did the police tell the criminal about their right to an attorney?
- Why did the detective ask the criminal for their name and date of birth?
- What did the criminal say about their whereabouts on the night of the robbery?
- What evidence did the detective mention that linked the criminal to the robbery?
- What did the detective say would happen next in the process?
- What is the purpose of a plea bargain?
- Why did the police read the suspect their Miranda rights?
- What is the purpose of setting bail for a criminal defendant?
Fill the blank quiz using words above
- The police had a warrant to _______ the suspect's house.
- The criminal was charged with _______ and robbery.
- The suspect asked if they could call a _______.
- The detective took the suspect's _______.
- The suspect was held in _______ while waiting for their court case.
- The defense presented new _______ to support the suspect's innocence.
- The suspect agreed to a _______ bargain to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
- The suspect was _______ by the police after being caught in the act.
- The police read the suspect their Miranda _______ before questioning them.
- The suspect's bail was set at $50,000, which they had to pay in order to be released from _______.
Amswers:
- The police had a warrant to search the suspect's house.
- The criminal was charged with theft and robbery.
- The suspect asked if they could call a lawyer.
- The detective took the suspect's statement.
- The suspect was held in custody while waiting for their court case.
- The defense presented new evidence to support the suspect's innocence.
- The suspect agreed to a plea bargain to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
- The suspect was arrested by the police after being caught in the act.
- The police read the suspect their Miranda rights before questioning them.
- The suspect's bail was set at $50,000, which they had to pay in order to be released from custody.
Fill the blank with the right Preposition
The police asked the criminal to step _____ of the vehicle.
a) off
b) out
c) in
The criminal was charged _____ theft and robbery.
a) with
b) for
c) of
The criminal asked if they could call a lawyer.
a) to
b) for
c) at
Answer: b) for
The detective took the criminal's statement.
a) in
b) on
c) about
The criminal was held _____ custody while waiting for their court case.
a) in
b) on
c) at
The defense presented new evidence _____ support the suspect's innocence.
a) to
b) for
c) about
The suspect agreed _____ a plea bargain to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
a) to
b) with
c) for
The police read the suspect their Miranda rights _____ questioning them.
a) before
b) after
c) during
The suspect's bail was set at $50,000, which they had to pay _____ order to be released from custody.
a) in
b) on
c) at
The detective said they would do their best to get _____ the truth.
a) to
b) for
c) about
Answers
1) out, 2) with, 3) for, 4) about, 5) in, 6) to, 7) to, 8) before, 9) in, 10) to.
Quiz in Verb Tenses
The police (ask) the criminal to step out of the vehicle.
a) asked
b) ask
c) will ask
Answer: a) asked
The criminal (be) charged with theft and robbery.
a) was
b) is
c) will be
Answer: a) was
The criminal (ask) if they could call a lawyer.
a) asked
b) ask
c) will ask
Answer: a) asked
The detective (take) the criminal's statement.
a) took
b) take
c) will take
Answer: a) took
The criminal (be) held in custody while waiting for their court case.
a) was
b) is
c) will be
Answer: a) was
The defense (present) new evidence to support the suspect's innocence.
a) presented
b) present
c) will present
Answer: a) presented
The suspect (agree) to a plea bargain to plead guilty to a lesser charge.
a) agreed
b) agree
c) will agree
Answer: a) agreed
The police (read) the suspect their Miranda rights before questioning them.
a) read
b) will read
c) readed
Answer: a) read
The suspect's bail (be) set at $50,000, which they had to pay in order to be released from custody.
a) was
b) is
c) will be
Answer: a) was
The detective (say) they would do their best to get to the truth.
a) said
b) say
c) will say
1 asked, 2) was, 3) asked, 4) took, 5) was, 6) presented, 7) agreed, 8) read, 9) was, 10) said