Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Speaking On Crime
Speaking On Crime
What are some of the most serious crimes that 21st century
societies face?
Felony
Homicide=Murder
Manslaughter
Smuggling=Bootlegging
Bigamy
Baby- or wife-battering
Assault
Arson
Embezzlement
Fraud
Forgery
Counterfeit
Piracy
Accident fraud
Swindling
Perjury
Abuse of power
Disorderly conduct
Terrorism
Criminal attempt
Speeding
Mugging
Slander
Treason
Conspiracy
Spying
Drug peddling
Larceny
Shoplifting
Burglary
Pick-pocketing
Petty theft
Hijacking
Blackmail
Kidnapping
Sexual harassment
Bribery
Corruption
Trespassing
Robbery
Theft
Vandalism
Looting
A. Glossary of crimes
George Herbert
Voltaire
C. Discussion questions
1. Which countries do you think have the most crime? Why do you think these
countries have more crime?
2. Which crimes are common in your country? What crimes do you think will
decrease and what crimes do you think will increase in the future? Do you
think that there will be more or less crime in the future?
3. Have you ever witnessed a crime?
4. Do you know anyone who has been a victim of a crime?
5. Under what circumstances would you think of committing a crime?
6. What do you think is the worst crime a person could commit? Why?
7. What makes some people become criminals? Is it poverty, lack of education,
unemployment or something else?
8. Why do we put people in jail? Is it to keep dangerous people away from
society? Do people come out of jail better people?
9. What is a "life sentence"? Should it literally mean "life"?
10. Should the death penalty exist as a punishment? Are you in favor of capital
punishment? What are the arguments for and against?
11. Is it a crime to try to kill yourself? What do you think of committing suicide?
12. In your country, is it against the law to use a cell phone while driving? Do you
think that the use of cell phones while driving should be illegal and punished
by law?
13. Surveillance cameras can be found in nearly every public place. Do you think
that they are necessary? Are there any drawbacks to surveillance cameras?
14. Many people download material such as films, music and TV programmes
illegally from the Internet. What do you think about it?
15. How strict should the law be with people who drink and drive?
16. Is television responsible in any way for crime? If so, in what way?
17. What about “good conduct”? Should people be allowed out early if they
behave themselves?
18. Are there any places you are afraid to visit because of the high crime rate? If
so, where?
19. What would you do if you heard a burglar in your house?
20. If two armed thieves break into a house, guns in hand, and the house-owner
has a gun, too. The house-owner shoots and kills one of them by mistake, is
he guilty of murder? Does he have a legal right to assault them with a
weapon?
21. If a person steals a loaf of bread because he needs to feed his starving
family, should he be punished?
22. If I set a trap – a fifty-kilo weight just above the front door – for any burglars
who might try and enter the house, am I breaking the law?
23. After a divorce or legal separation, can a wife be required to pay alimony to
her ex-husband?
24. If a boy promises to marry his girl-friend and then change his mind shortly
before the wedding, can she take him to the court (Can she sue him)?
25. If as a defendant (accused), I am not satisfied with the way my attorney has
handled my defense, can I sue him?