What are the above pictures?
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Transcript of What are the above pictures?
What are the above pictures? Despite being thousands of years old, both
are still important to us today. Why do you think that is?
What is the difference between a moral law and a legal law?
The Law and the Individual
Unit VII
Sources of Our Laws
What are laws? Set of rules that help people live together
What should laws do? Major purpose is to keep the peace and
prevent violent acts Provide rules for resolving disagreements
between groups or individuals
What makes a good law? Fairness – all people treated equally Reasonable – punishment fits the crime Understandable – laws are not to
complicated for people to be able to follow Enforceable – laws can be monitored and
carried out by communities, state or federal authorities
Where do our laws come from? Based on ideas,
customs, and laws passed down from generations
History of Law Code of Hammurabi
First known written legal system
Around 2000 BCE Harsh penalties based
on principle of “an eye for an eye”
The Ten Commandments Found in the Hebrew Bible Around 1200 BCE
The Ten Commandments
Roman Law Written by the Roman Senate and Judges –
representatives of the citizens Justinian Code – Around 600 CE
Byzantine Emperor Justinian organized Roman law which influenced Catholic Church Napoleonic Code
English Common Law Established by Court Decisions rather
than legal code Based on precedents – previous decisions that
are examples to follow Makes the law consistent and fair
Burden of Proof In any court case, the burden of proof is on
the prosecution. i.e. Prosecution must prove beyond any doubt
that the defendant is guilty of their crime
Criminal Law Cases in which the state or federal
government charges someone with a crime
Misdemeanors A relatively minor offense Examples – minor vandalism, stealing
inexpensive items
Felonies A serious crime Examples: murder, rape, kidnapping,
robbery
Civil Law When a person or group takes a legal
action against another person or group
Lawsuit When a person or group sues to collect
damages
Tort Law – someone believes that an injury or loss is due to someone else’s negligence
Family Law – child custody, child support, divorce, alimony
Types of Laws Constitutional Law – deals with the formation,
construction and interpretation of the Constitution Highest law in the country
Administrative Law Rules and regulations that the Executive Branch
makes to carry out its job.
Statutory Law Statute – written law by a legislature
Regulate behavior Source of rights and benefits
Identify Each of the Following as A) Statutory LawB) Constitutional LawC) Administrative Law
The US Postal Service increases the price of a stamp to 60 cents
The right to get your drivers license when you turn 16
The right to remain silent when accused of a crime
C
A
B
Warm-Up What were the 4 influences on American
law?
Steps to a civil case1. Plaintiffs attorney files a complaint2. Court sends a summons to defendant3. Defendant’s attorney files a written
answer4. Attorneys for both sides exchange plea
documents5. Attorneys argue case in court6. Court gives verdict
Steps to a Criminal Case
1. Arrest
Preliminary Hearing Suspect appears before judge and bail
is set
Indictment Grand Jury (or judge) hears evidence
and formally charges
Arraignment Defendant pleads not guilty and trial date is
set
Defendant pleads guilty and accepts plea bargain – conviction of lesser charge for softer sentence
Trial Prosecution and Defense present case Jury (or judge) reaches verdict
Acquittal Defendant found not guilty
Sentencing Defendant found guilty and judge
sentences (punishes)
Two Options Create a comic strip that illustrates the
steps to a criminal case and a civil case OR
Write your own episode of Law & Order (or any police show you have watched). Include all the steps of either a criminal or a civil case in you narrative. DETAIL IS IMPORTANT.
Conclusion
Why do most people voluntarily comply (follow along) with the
law?
How are Juvenile cases handled in NC?
Juvenile –
in most states anyone under the age of
18 Juvenile Delinquent –
young people who commit crimes Purpose of the Juvenile Court System =
Rehabilitate
Two Types of Cases Neglect
Juveniles whose caregivers neglect or abuse them
Delinquency
Cases involving juveniles who commit crimes
Differences between juveniles and adult justice?
No juries only a judge Closed to the public Identities are kept secret
Not fingerprinted Not photographed
If juvenile completes probation then charges are dropped and removed from record
Other Court Officials Clerk of Superior Court Records wills and handles foreclosures
(selling some ones property to pay debts)
MagistratesIssues search and arrest warrants, issues
arraignments (charges) District Attorney Represents state in all criminal cases