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. For example, 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.
TASK 1. Read the text.
TASK 2. 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;
i) to launch a career.
TASK 3. Answer the questions.
1. What is an attorney in the US? 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 ambitions0
6. What example in the text proves that US attorneys harbour political ambitions?
2.4.6 Test 12. The Legal professions
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