Should Juries Know Defendants' Past Criminal Records?

Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

September 16, 2024
Gaurav Chhikara
PTE Academic
Essay Sample Answer

Essay Question

Under British and Australian laws jury in a criminal case has no access to information about the defendant's past criminal record. This protects the person who is being accused of the crime. Some lawyers have suggested that this practice should be changed and that jury should be given all the past facts before they reach their decision about the case. Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answer.

90-Points (9 Bands) Sample Answer for Essay

The debate on whether the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed encompasses diverse viewpoints, revealing its advantages and drawbacks. This essay critically assesses these perspectives.

There are myriad arguments in favour of my stance. Recent research not only outlines the significance of studies as well as people, but also points out the importance of education and coping with vicissitudes. Besides, it provides a brief overview of expanding cultural understanding, followed by enhancing global perspectives. Examples of this can be seen all over the world, especially in affluent nations. Further, the implications of technological advancements on these views are significant, justifying widespread support for the idea that the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed.

However, there are some arguments against the aforementioned view. Besides, its impact is far-reaching indeed as its influence extends to various facets of society, shaping not only individual experiences but also impacting the academic research landscape. Therefore, it is apparent why many are against the notion that the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed.

In conclusion, while the viewpoint that the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed presents a complex array of advantages and disadvantages, my analysis leads me to firmly support the notion that its benefits substantially outweigh the drawbacks.

*In the PTE Academic exam, your score for the Essay Question-type depends on factors like Content, Form, Grammar, Vocabulary Range, Spelling, General Linguistic Range, and Development, Structure, and Coherence. This model answer uses the AGBS template to score full marks. In the following picture, you can see how this answer gets full points in all these aspects!

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Template used in this Essay Sample Answer

There are two types of PTE essays: AGBS and PS. Both templates have a similar structure with slight text differences to better fit the essay type. You might even try memorizing the entire template before typing it. Here is the template for the AGBS essay type.

Agree Disagree / Both Sides Template

The debate on whether TS* encompasses diverse viewpoints, revealing its advantages and drawbacks. This essay critically assesses these perspectives.

In conclusion, while the viewpoint that TS* presents a complex array of advantages and disadvantages, my analysis leads me to firmly support the notion that its benefits substantially outweigh the drawbacks.

*Now, with the above template, you only have to add one phrase (a TS), which almost looks like a sentence.

What is TS?

A TS, or Topic Sentence, is an important part of a templated essay. It is a clear and short sentence that tells what the main idea of the essay is. The TS is created using words from the essay topic and fits into a set structure that is already written. It also makes sure that the essay sounds positive or neutral. The TS is the only part that needs to be changed for each essay in order to get full content score.

Example TS for the current essay:

'the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed'

What makes this TS suitable?

The TS "the practice of giving jury access to information about the defendant's past criminal record should be changed" is appropriate for the essay topic because it clearly expresses a viewpoint on the issue at hand. This statement directly relates to the topic by addressing the suggestion that juries should have access to a defendant's past criminal record when making decisions in a trial. It indicates that there is a need for change in the current legal practice, which aligns with the discussion proposed in the essay prompt.

The TS uses key terms such as "jury," "access," and "defendant's past criminal record," ensuring that it remains relevant to the topic. This connection helps in establishing a clear focus for the essay, as it sets up a discussion about the implications of changing the current rules. The sentence is grammatically correct and follows a straightforward structure, making it easy to understand. There are no spelling errors, which is important for maintaining clarity.

By stating that the practice "should be changed," the TS indicates an opinion that can be explored further in the essay. It opens the door for discussing reasons why juries should have access to this information, such as potential benefits for the justice system or the fairness of trials. This approach allows for a balanced examination of the topic, which is essential for responding to the essay question effectively.

Overall, the TS provides a solid foundation for the essay by clearly stating a position that is directly relevant to the topic, using appropriate language and structure. This clarity and relevance will help in developing a strong argument throughout the essay.

Important Words for Relevancy + Content Scores

We've provided a list of words and phrases that are related to the essay topic to help you create your own TS. All of these words are directly linked to the essay prompt, giving you multiple ideas for composing your TS.

Jury: A jury is a group of people selected to listen to evidence in a trial and decide whether someone is guilty or not. For example, in a criminal case, a jury examines the facts presented in court to make a fair decision about the accused person.
Criminal Case: A criminal case is a legal proceeding in which someone is accused of committing a crime. For instance, if someone is charged with theft, that would be a criminal case where the jury determines their guilt.
Defendant: A defendant is a person who is accused of a crime in a court of law. For example, the defendant in a robbery case is the individual accused of stealing.
Past Criminal Record: A past criminal record is a history of someone's previous convictions or charges for crimes. For instance, a defendant's past criminal record may influence how the jury views their current case.
Protects: Protects means to keep someone safe from harm or unfair treatment. For example, laws that prevent juries from seeing a defendant's past criminal record aim to protect the accused person's right to a fair trial.
Accused: Accused refers to someone who is charged with a crime. For example, the person accused of a crime must be treated fairly until proven guilty in court.
Practice: Practice refers to a customary way of doing something, often established over time. For example, the practice of not allowing juries to see past criminal records is a long-standing rule in some legal systems.
Changed: Changed means to make something different from what it was. For instance, some lawyers believe that the laws regarding jury access to past criminal records should be changed to provide more information.
Facts: Facts are pieces of information that can be proven to be true. For example, in a trial, the jury must consider all relevant facts before making a decision about the case.
Decision: A decision is a choice made after considering information and options. For example, the jury's decision in a criminal case determines whether the defendant is guilty or innocent.
Re-offend: Re-offend means to commit a crime again after having been punished for a previous crime. For example, some studies show that individuals who re-offend often do so after being released from prison.
Release: Release means to allow someone to leave a place, such as prison, after serving their sentence. For instance, a person may be released from prison after completing their time for a crime.
Prison: Prison is a place where people are sent to serve time for committing crimes. For example, individuals convicted of serious offences may spend years in prison as punishment.
Cause: Cause refers to the reason why something happens. For example, many factors can cause someone to commit a crime, including economic hardship or lack of support.
Solution: A solution is an answer or way to solve a problem. For instance, finding a solution to reduce crime might involve providing better education and job opportunities.
Jail: Jail is a place where people are held temporarily, often before their trial or while serving a short sentence. For example, someone arrested for a minor offence might spend time in jail until their court date.
Crime: Crime refers to an act that breaks the law and is punishable by the government. For example, theft, assault, and vandalism are all considered crimes.
Commit: Commit means to carry out or perform an act, often referring to a crime. For example, if someone commits a robbery, they have stolen something unlawfully.
Sentence: A sentence is the punishment given to someone found guilty of a crime. For instance, a judge may impose a sentence of community service or prison time depending on the severity of the crime.
Arrest: Arrest means to take someone into custody by law enforcement because they are suspected of committing a crime. For example, police may arrest a person if they catch them stealing.

Try making your own TS with these suggested words. Then fill out the above-mentioned template and submit it to our AI for evaluation. Keep adjusting just the TS until you obtain full scores. This is the fastest way for you to get ready for the PTE Academic test's writing section.

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