There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world

Question

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Passage # 104, Date : 24-MAR-2019
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There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world—the adversarial and the inquisitorial. Both systems were historically preceded by the system of private vengeance in which the victim of a crime fashioned a remedy and administered it privately, either personally or through an agent.

The modern adversarial system is only one historical step removed from the private vengeance system and still retains some of its characteristic features. For example, even though the right to initiate legal action against a criminal has now been extended to all members of society (as represented by the office of the public prosecutor), and even though the police department has effectively assumed the pretrial investigative functions on behalf of the prosecution, the adversarial system still leaves the defendant to conduct his or her own pretrial investigation. The trial is viewed as a forensic duel between two adversaries, presided over by a judge who, at the start, has no knowledge of the investigative background of the case. In the final analysis the adversarial system of criminal procedure symbolizes and regularizes punitive combat.

By contrast, the inquisitorial system begins historically where the adversarial system stopped its development. It is two historical steps removed from the system of private vengeance. From the standpoint of legal anthropology, then, it is historically superior to the adversarial system. Under the inquisitorial system, the public prosecutor has the duty to investigate not just on behalf of society but also on behalf of the defendant. Additionally, the public prosecutor has the duty to present the court not only evidence that would convict the defendant, but also evidence that could prove the defendant’s innocence. The system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession. Finally, an aspect of the system that makes the trial less like a duel between two adversarial parties is that the inquisitorial system mandates that the judge take an active part in the conduct of the trial, with a role that is both directive and protective.

Fact-finding is at the heart of the inquisitorial system. This system operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal action the crucial factor is the body of facts, not the legal rule (in contrast to the adversarial system), and the goal of the entire procedure is to attempt to recreate, in the mind of the court, the commission of the alleged crime.

Because of the inquisitorial system’s thoroughness in conducting its pretrial investigation, it can be concluded that, if given the choice, a defendant who is innocent would prefer to be tried under the inquisitorial system, whereas a defendant who is guilty would prefer to be tried under the adversarial system.   1 
 01. It can be inferred from the passage that the crucial factor in a trial under the adversarial system is

(A) rules of legality
(B) dramatic reenactment of the crime
(C) the search for relevant facts
(D) the victim’s personal pursuit of revenge
(E) police testimony about the crime
 2 
 02. The author sees the judge’s primary role in a trial under the inquisitorial system as that of

(A) passive observer
(B) biased referee
(C) uninvolved administrator
(D) aggressive investigator
(E) involved manager
 3 
 03. According to the passage, a central distinction between the system of private vengeance and the two modern criminal procedure systems was the shift in responsibility for initiating legal action against a criminal from the

(A) defendant to the courts
(B) victim to society
(C) defendant to the prosecutor
(D) courts to a law enforcement agency
(E) victim to the judge
 4 
 04. All of the following are characteristics of the inquisitorial system that the author cites EXCEPT:

(A) It is based on cooperation rather than conflict.
(B) It encourages full disclosure of evidence.
(C) It requires that the judge play an active role in the conduct of the trial.
(D) It places the defendant in charge of his or her defense.
(E) It favors the innocent.
 5 
 5. The author’s attitude toward the inquisitorial system can best be described as

(A) doubtful that its judges can be both directive and protective
(B) satisfied that it has potential for uncovering the relevant facts in a case
(C) optimistic that it will replace the adversarial system
(D) wary about its down playing of legal rules
(E) critical of its close relationship with the private vengeance system

Source:   LSAT Official PrepTest 1   ( June 1991 ) 
 Difficulty Level:   600

sumi747 · Answer

For question 1 I could only arrive at the ans as option A by EOP. Is there any other way to find out this ans from the passage?

Posted from my mobile device

AmarRajput · Answer

There are two major systems of  criminal procedure in the modern world—the adversarial and the inquisitorial . Both systems were historically preceded by the system of private vengeance in which the victim of a crime fashioned a remedy and administered it privately , either personally or through an agent.

The modern adversarial system is only one historical step removed from the private vengeance system and still retains some of its characteristic features.  For example, even though the right to initiate legal action against a criminal has now been extended to all members of society (as represented by the office of the public prosecutor), and even though the police department has effectively assumed the pretrial investigative functions on behalf of the prosecution,  the adversarial system still leaves the defendant to conduct his or her own pretrial investigation . The trial is viewed as a forensic duel between two adversaries, presided over by a judge who, at the start, has no knowledge of the investigative background of the case. In the final analysis the adversarial system of criminal procedure symbolizes and regularizes punitive combat.

By contrast, the inquisitorial system begins historically where the adversarial system stopped its development. It is two historical steps removed from the system of private vengeance. From the standpoint of legal anthropology, then, it is historically superior to the adversarial system. Under the inquisitorial system, the public prosecutor has the duty to investigate not just on behalf of society but also on behalf of the defendant . Additionally, the public prosecutor has the duty to present the court not only evidence that would convict the defendant, but also evidence that could prove the defendant’s innocence. The system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession . Finally, an aspect of the system that makes the trial less like a duel between two adversarial parties is that the inquisitorial system mandates that the judge take an active part in the conduct of the trial, with a role that is both directive and protective.

Fact-finding is at the heart of the inquisitorial system . This system operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal action the crucial factor is the body of facts, not the legal rule (in contrast to the adversarial system), and the goal of the entire procedure is to attempt to recreate, in the mind of the court, the commission of the alleged crime.

Because of the inquisitorial system’s thoroughness in conducting its pretrial investigation, it can be concluded that, if given the choice,  a defendant who is innocent would prefer to be tried under the inquisitorial system, whereas a defendant who is guilty would prefer to be tried under the adversarial system.

With this you can solve each and every question , do tag me for any particular question

AmarRajput · Answer

This is an Inference question , Process of elimination is the best option here  ......

Gagan0009 · Answer

It is a detail kind of question, so you'll just have to look around if possible or else poe is good option.

the answer in this case lies in last second para.
"This system operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal action the crucial factor is the body of facts, not the legal rule (in contrast to the adversarial system)"

Skywalker18 · Answer

Interesting passage. Took 10 mins 30 seconds including 5 mins 30 seconds to read. All correct

01. It can be inferred from the passage that the crucial factor in a trial under the adversarial system is
(A) rules of legality- Correct

Fact-finding is at the heart of the inquisitorial system. This system operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal action the crucial factor is the body of facts, not the legal rule (in contrast to the adversarial system),

02. The author sees the judge’s primary role in a trial under the inquisitorial system as that of
(E) involved manager- Correct

Finally, an aspect of the system that makes the trial less like a duel between two adversarial parties is that the inquisitorial system mandates that the judge take an active part in the conduct of the trial, with a role that is both directive and protective.

03. According to the passage, a central distinction between the system of private vengeance and the two modern criminal procedure systems was the shift in responsibility for initiating legal action against a criminal from the
B) victim to society

system of private vengeance in which the victim of a crime fashioned a remedy and administered it privately

even though the right to initiate legal action against a criminal has now been extended to all members of society (as represented by the office of the public prosecutor)

04. All of the following are characteristics of the inquisitorial system that the author cites EXCEPT:
(A) It is based on cooperation rather than conflict. - The system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession. Finally, an aspect of the system that makes the trial less like a duel between two adversarial parties
(B) It encourages full disclosure of evidence. - The system mandates that both parties permit full pretrial discovery of the evidence in their possession.
(C) It requires that the judge play an active role in the conduct of the trial. - inquisitorial system mandates that the judge take an active part in the conduct of the trial
(D) It places the defendant in charge of his or her defense.- Correct
(E) It favors the innocent. - Because of the inquisitorial system’s thoroughness in conducting its pretrial investigation, it can be concluded that, if given the choice, a defendant who is innocent would prefer to be tried under the inquisitorial system

5. The author’s attitude toward the inquisitorial system can best be described as
(B) satisfied that it has potential for uncovering the relevant facts in a case- Correct

KPSinghJadon · Answer

Fact-finding is at the heart of the inquisitorial system. This system (the inquisitorial system) operates on the philosophical premise that in a criminal action the crucial factor is the body of facts,   not the legal rule (in contrast to the adversarial system)

armaankumar · Answer

All this passage talks about is the two types of criminal procedures in the modern world and why a defendant would choose one depending on whether he’s innocent or guilty.

Paragraph 1: Introduces two systems of criminal procedures used in the modern world and their predecessor “The system of private Vengeance
Paragraph 2: Explains the modern adversarial system in comparison with the private vengeance system. Draws parallels between the modern adversarial system and the private vengeance system
Paragraph 3: Contrasts the inquisitorial system with the adversarial system. Also, explains what the inquisitorial system is) and why it is better than the adversarial system
Paragraph 4: Further explains the inquisitorial system and the importance of fact-finding in the inquisitorial system
Paragraph 5: Author presents his opinion on why an innocent defendant would choose the inquisitorial system, and why a guilty defendant would choose the adversarial system

There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world

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GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

There are two major systems of criminal procedure in the modern world

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