Übung 1

The advertisement states that a "background check" is required, followed by "NO FELONIES".
What is the Delavigne Corporation's concern?

The educational history of the applicant

The past employment history of the applicant

The criminal history of the applicant

The working status of the applicant

Ich weiß es nicht

The advertisement states that a "background check" is required, followed by "NO FELONIES".
What is the Delavigne Corporation's concern?

The educational history of the applicant

It is true that most potential employers are interested the educational background of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate. "Background checks" are generally done as a means to ensure that the candidate has no criminal history.

The past employment history of the applicant

It is true that most potential employers are interested the employment history background of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate. "Background checks" are generally done as a means to ensure that the candidate has no criminal history.

The criminal history of the applicant

A "background check" can include research into many aspects of an individual's life, however, employers are most often concerned with the criminal history of the individual. The phrase "no felonies" is a clear indication that this is the company's concern. A "felony" is a serious crime.

The working status of the applicant

It is true that most potential employers are interested the legal working status of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate.

Übung 2

Let's take a look at some law-related terminology, just for the fun of it.

This term describes a relatively minor offense, usually punishable by a fine or community service. In most legal systems, these offenses are usually resolved without a trial. In California, possessing an illegal firearm is a .

This term describes a major offense, usually punishable by a significant jail sentence. These offenses are usually resolved in court. Killing someone is a in most countries.

Kevin and Jean were charged with violating certain laws, including "reckless endangerment", which specifically describes .

Let's take a look at some law-related terminology, just for the fun of it.

This term describes a relatively minor offense, usually punishable by a fine or community service. In most legal systems, these offenses are usually resolved without a trial. In California, possessing an illegal firearm is a misdemeanor 1.

This term describes a major offense, usually punishable by a significant jail sentence. These offenses are usually resolved in court. Killing someone is a felony 2 in most countries.

Kevin and Jean were charged with violating certain laws, including "reckless endangerment", which specifically describes putting others at risk 3.

1 misdemeanor: This is correct. A "misdemeanor" ("misdemeanour" UK) is a category of crime or infraction considered less serious than a "felony". In most common law systems, "misdemeanors" are punishable by light jail sentences, fines and temporary restrictions of civil liberties, and do not usually go to trial. Note that in the US, "misdemeanors" contrast directly to "felonies". Not every state distinguishes violations in this way, however the majority of US States do. In Great Britain, for example, infractions are divided roughly into two categories: "summary offences" and "indictable offences", however these terms have judicial nuances to them as well.

1 felony: A "felony" is a major criminal offense, punishable by significant jail time, and contrasts directly to a "misdemeanor". Note that in most common law systems, notably in Commonwealth countries, major criminal violations belong to category of violations called "indictable offences", whereas this category is called "felonies" in the United States.

1 conviction: In legal terms, a "conviction" refers to the "guilty" verdict of a judge or jury against a defendant (the person accused of a violation). If a murder case results in a conviction, then the defendant has been found "guilty" of murder, and will be sentenced (to prison, usually). In other words, the accusations against a person have been "upheld" or been validated through the legal process, and the defendant has been "convicted" (of murder, of robbery, etc). We often speak of a criminal's "prior convictions", which describes their past criminal history. This is also related to the noun "convict", which refers to anyone who has been "convicted" or "found guilty" of a crime (in court).

1 probation: In legal terms, "probation" (rarely preceded by an article) describes the release or pardon of someone who has committed an offense, usually a minor one. "Probations" are generally conditional upon the supervision of an authority (called a "probation officer"), and they are designed to correct behavior for minor offenses. Children (under the age of 18) are often sentenced to "probation" for minor offenses, and educational institutions often use "probation" as a disciplinary method as well.

2 felony: This is correct. A "felony" is a major offense, punishable by significant jail time including "murder", "larceny" and "conspiracy" among others. Note that in most major common law systems, notably in Commonwealth countries, major criminal violations belong to category of violations called "indictable offences", whereas this category is called "felonies" in the United States. The noun "felon" is used to refer to anyone "convicted" (found guilty of) a "felony".

2 conviction: In legal terms, a "conviction" refers to the "guilty" verdict of a judge or jury against a defendant (the person accused of a violation). If a murder case results in a conviction, then the defendant has been found "guilty" of murder, and will be sentenced (to prison, usually). In other words, the accusations against a person have been "upheld" or been validated through the legal process, and the defendant has been "convicted" (of murder, of robbery, etc). We often speak of a criminal's "prior convictions", which describes their past criminal history. This is also related to the noun "convict", which refers to anyone who has been "convicted" or "found guilty" of a crime (in court).

2 misdemeanor: A "misdemeanor" ("misdemeanour" UK) is a category of crime or infraction considered less serious than a "felony". In many common law judicial systems, "misdemeanors" are punishable by light jail sentences, fines and temporary restrictions of civil liberties, and do not usually go to trial. Note that in the US, "misdemeanors" contrast directly to "felonies". Not every state distinguishes violations in this way, however the majority of US States do. In Great Britain, for example, infractions are divided roughly into two categories: "summary offences" and "indictable offences", however these terms have judicial nuances to them as well.

2 probation: In legal terms, "probation" (rarely preceded by an article) describes the release or pardon of someone who has committed an offense, usually a minor one. "Probations" are generally conditional upon the supervision of an authority (called a "probation officer"), and they are designed to correct behavior for minor offenses. Children (under the age of 18) are often sentenced to "probation" for minor offenses, and educational institutions often use "probation" as a disciplinary method as well.

3 putting others at risk: This is correct. In US law, "Reckless endangerment" describes criminal conduct which puts others in danger, either intentionally or unintentionally. "Reckless endangerment" can be considered either a "misdemeanor" or a "felony" depending on the seriousness of the offense. "Reckless endangerment" might involve driving while intoxicated, or neglecting a child. A "reckless (action)" is a careless one, performed without concern or caution. "Endangerment" describes putting someone or something "in danger" or "at risk".

3 breaking the speed limit: This is not an accurate description of "reckless endangerment", though "breaking the speed limit" or "exceeding it" can put the lives of others at risk! The charge of "speeding" is punishable by fines and eventually the revocation of driver's licenses in most places.

3 consuming alcohol while driving: This is not an accurate description of "reckless endangerment", though "consuming alcohol while driving" can put the lives of others at risk! Charges related to "drinking and driving" are major offenses in most places, officially called "Driving While Intoxicated" (DWI) and "Driving Under the Influence" (DUI) in the United States.

3 possession of an illegal substance: This is not an accurate description of "reckless endangerment". "Possession of an illegal substance" (or simply "possession") generally describes the possession of drugs. The intent of the carrier determines the punishment for the offense, with the "intent to distribute" being a more serious offense than the intent to use the drug recreationally.

Übung 3

The advertisement states that a 'background check' is required, followed by 'NO FELONIES'.
What is the Delavigne Corporation's concern?

The educational history of the applicant.

The criminal history of the applicant.

The working status of the applicant.

The employment history of the applicant.

Ich weiß es nicht

The advertisement states that a 'background check' is required, followed by 'NO FELONIES'.
What is the Delavigne Corporation's concern?

The educational history of the applicant.

It is true that most potential employers are interested in the educational background of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate. 'Background checks' are generally done as a means to ensure that the candidate has no criminal history.

The criminal history of the applicant.

A 'background check' can include research into many aspects of an individual's life, however, employers are most often concerned with the criminal history of the individual. The phrase 'no felonies' is a clear indication that this is the company's concern. A 'felony' is a serious crime.

The working status of the applicant.

It is true that most potential employers are interested in the legal working status of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate.

The employment history of the applicant.

It is true that most potential employers are interested in the employment history background of applicants, however this information is usually provided by the candidate. 'Background checks' are generally done as a means to ensure that the candidate has no criminal history.

Übung 4