Types of Codes
• Moral Code – A code of conduct. What is right/wrong. Defined by Society.
• Legal Code – A type of legislation that creates laws for a society. Unlike a Moral Code, these can be enforced in a court of law
Famous Codes of Law Through History
• Codes of Hammurabi (1760 BC )– Developed in Ancient Babylon, this code demonstrates reciprocal punishment. Meaning an “eye for an eye:”
• Ten Commandments ( Approx. 1446 BC) – A list of moral and religious principles given to Moses in Ancient Israel. Contains many principles still used today (thou shall not kill, steal, covet, etc.)
• Justinian Codes (529-534 AD) – This Code, from the Byzantine Empire, compiled many Roman Laws into different singular areas. Became a basis for civil law in the Byzantine Empire.
Famous Codes of Law Through History
• Draconian Laws (Around 610 BC ) –Ancient Greek code. The code was very harsh, ordering death for many crimes (including tiny ones like stealing an apple). This was done to quell rebellions, but did not work.
• English Bill of Rights (1689) – Protected certain rights of English citizens, including the right to petition and bear arms.
• British Common Law (1154)– Common Law is the idea that current court cases can be judged based on the idea of precedent. Courts review cases and decide on precedent. Courts can also overturn precedent.
Famous Codes of Law Through History
• Iroquois Nation’s Constitution (1500s) – Also called Gayanashagowa (or Great Law of Peace). This created a “Great Peacemaker” (like a President), and is thought to have influenced the US Constitution.
• Social Contract (1651, 1689, 1762)–Developed by Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke, this is the idea that people give up some of their rights in order to maintain a society and government.
• Magna Carta (1215) – M.C. required the King of England to be bound by laws. It also protected “habeas corpus,” or the right to appeal unlawful detention. Formed a large basis of the US Constitution..
Famous Codes of Law Through History
• Declaration of Independence (1776) – Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, this statement is not law, but identifies many human rights and principles that inform our laws today. Also declared US independence.
• U.S. Constitution (1787)– Basis of American law, established protected rights in the Bill of Rights.
Common•Crucial to understanding how law works. •The Constitution doesn’t have all laws spelled out.•Courts make decisions based on precedents
Criminal •Punishments for crimes•Two types of sentences, misdemeanor & felony
Civil•Disputes between individuals or private parties.•When someone is wronged, they are repaid.•Tort, contract, wills, etc
Constitutional
•Governs the interpretation of the Constitution •Basis for many decisions of public policy in America
Administrative
•Governs the Government Agencies•Rule making & adjudication•Rules to regulate industries, and decides the cases through adjudication
Statutory Law
•Passed by state legislatures
International Law
•Laws between different countries, expressing treaties, trade agreements, etc.
DisputeLitigation happens because at least 2 people disagree over something.
Complaint FiledThe plaintiff files a legal complaint against a defendant in a civil case
Defendant can:1. Ignore & receive default judgment, 2. motion to dismiss; 3. File answer to complaint
Discovery PeriodBoth sides find out info through depositions & interrogatories
AppealsYou can file an appeal to a higher court, but they do not take new evidence
Ask for summary judgment/avoid trialSummary judgment are before trial when no one disputes. Can settle or go to arbitration
TrialJury selection/opening statements by plaintiff, response by defense/rebuttals/closing arguments.
Crime CommittedAn offense has to be committed & an investigation has to be conducted
Prosecuted/ProcessedCharges have to be brought, the accused must be processed
ChargedAfter charges are brought, the accused becomes a defendant
IndictedGrand jury determines if enough evidence to indict. Only prosecutor present evidence.
PleaCan plead guilty or not guilty. Often prosecutors will offer lighter sentences through “Plea bargaining” to get guilty pleas
Trial/VerdictSame process, although higher burden of proof “beyond a reasonable doubt”
AppealsCan appeal cases, but no new evidence. Capital murder cases have many appeals processes.
Do Now
• Moral Code and Legal Code– How do moral code and legal code relate to one
another? Is one more important than the other? Explain.
Review Separation of Powers
• Executive Branch: recommends laws to the legislative branch; ensures laws are “faithfully executed”; has the power to veto a bill and grant clemency
• Legislative Branch: writes the law• Judicial Branch: interprets the law; has power
of judicial review (power to annul an executive of legislative act on constitutional grounds); determines laws broken and punishments
Category of Law Definition Example #1 Example #2Administrative Law
Government and/or organization-related issues that can be handled outside of a courtroom
Your case might first be considered administrative if you file a claim to receive worker’s compensation. Eventually, the case could go to court if one or both parties are unable to resolve
Civil LawCommon LawConstitutional Law
Leandro v. NC is a case because the case was filed & the court ruled on the basis of the NC Constitution
Criminal LawStatutory Law The law written by a
legislative body or another governing body. Please note that criminal, civil, and administrative laws are all types of statutory laws.
Law Enforcement Agencies & Jurisdiction
• Jurisdiction - the authority given to a legal body, such as a law enforcement agency or court, to adjudicate and enforce legal matters.
• For homework, use your notes from today, the NC Court System website (http://www.nccourts.org/), and a NC General Court of Justice chart (attached) to map out where each of today’s cases will be heard and/or sent upon entering the NC Court System (assuming all crimes are committed by individuals over the age of sixteen.)
• Map out these details on a separate sheet of paper using arrows. For example:– First-degree murder charges (Felonious criminal case) ->
Superior Court – Civil case involving less than $10,000 -> Civil District Court
• Ask students to determine each act as a misdemeanor or a felony and to complete judicial maps for all 15 role plays.
District Court
• Trial Courts, can be divided into four categories: civil, criminal, juvenile and magistrate. – Sits in the county seat of each county.
• District Courts handle:– Civil cases such as divorce, custody, child support &
cases involving less than $10,000– Criminal cases involving misdemeanors & infractions. – Juvenile cases involving children under the age of 16
who are delinquent & children under the age of 18 who are undisciplined, dependent, neglected or abused.
Superior Court
• Divided into 8 divisions & 46 districts across the state.
• Every 6 months, Superior Court judges rotate among the districts within their division.
• Superior Court handles:– All felony criminal cases– Civil cases involving more than $10,000 – Misdemeanor and infraction appeals from District
Court
Court of Appeals
• This state's only intermediate appellate court. • 15 judges sit in rotating panels of 3 and serve
8 year terms. There is no jury.• Court of Appeals handle:– Every case appealed from the Superior and District
courts except death penalty cases. – Appeals can range from a parking ticket case to a
murder case.
Supreme Court of North Carolina
• The state's highest court. • There is no further appeal in the state • This court has a chief justice and 6 associate justices and
serve 8 year terms.• The Supreme Court has no jury; rather, it considers error
in legal procedures or in judicial interpretation of the law.• Supreme Court handles:
– Cases in which there is a dissent in the Court of Appeals– Those that the Supreme Court accepts for review through
petition.
Create a “Want Ad” for a NC Judicial Candidate
• What qualities do you think that the ideal judge should have? Do you think they should have a degree from Harvard law? Does it matter if they are a native North Carolinian? Are there particular experiences he/she should have? Should they encompass particular personality traits, values, or views?
• Design a “Want Ad” advertising the skills, background, values, & any other important criteria you think a candidate for the North Carolina Judicial Branch should possess. Make sure to include the qualifications you are seeking in these categories:– Background information (university attended, degree, previous experience,
etc.)– Personal information (family, place of residence, hobbies, etc.)– Moral and ethical principles– Skills related to the judicial process– Particular judicial beliefs/political stances (i.e., stance on right to life, death
penalty, gun laws, etc.)– Other particular qualifications your group feels is important in finding the best
candidate
• raleigh craigslist > legal jobs
• Paralegal (Downtown Raleigh)• Reply to: • Date: • Paralegal/legal assistant needed in mid-sized
downtown Raleigh law firm to assist attorneys with busy and rewarding adoption/family law practice. Ideal candidate has good work ethic, detail oriented and superior organizational skills. MS Word experience required. Benefits include health, life, 401(k) and parking.
US Supreme Court: Constitutional issues
US Court of Appeals: Appeals
US District Court: Hears Federal criminal & civil cases
“Ignorance of the law is no excuse”?
A person who is unaware of the law cannot escape liability for violating the law merely because they were unaware of the law.
Purpose of Punishments
• Retribution-“paying back” the criminal for what he/she did in a punishment equivalent to the crime committed; “an eye for an eye”; example- death penalty
• Deterrence- discouraging people from committing crimes; example-fines, jail
• Rehabilitation- helping convicted persons change their behavior; example- juvenile intervention/counseling, community service
• Incapacitation-separating the convicted from the community; example-jail/prison
Convicted Felon Guilty of Misdemeanor
Convicted Minor (<18 yrs)
•Prison terms of substantial length
•Loss of Privileges such as professional licenses, public offices, or public employment, driver’s license
•Capital Punishment-a sentence of public execution
•Restitution- pay money to the victim or the judicial system
• Prison lasting usually no longer than 12 months. Sometimes even part time imprisonment, weekend stays, etc..
• Community Service
• Fines
• Probation
• Boot Camp programs instill discipline, education, and civic responsibility in youth offenders.
• Probation a suspended jail sentence for the convicted to be rehabilitated by the community
• Community Service
• House Arrest
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDtBcO7F5UE
Punishment Debate
• 5 min. Affirmative position debater (team arguing in support of the question) presents constructive debate points (basically an opening statement)
• 3 min. Negative position debater (team arguing against the question) cross-examines affirmative points.
• 5 min. Negative position presents constructive debate points/opening statement
• 3 min. Affirmative position cross-examines negative points• 3 min. Affirmative position offers rebuttal • 3 min. Negative position offers rebuttal
Other Court Officials
• Magistrates accept guilty pleas for minor misdemeanors, accept guilty pleas for traffic violations and accept waivers of trial for worthless-check cases among other things. In civil cases, the magistrate is authorized to try small claims involving up to $5,000 including landlord eviction cases.
Original Jurisdiction
• The authority to be the first court to hear a case
Courts with Jurisdiction• District & Superior Courts- Decide guilty or
innocence• U.S. Supreme Court- Only in certain cases (US
Ambassadors and Maritime Law)
Appellate Jurisdiction
• The authority to review a lower court’s decision
Courts with Jurisdiction• Appellate courts- hear cases from district level• Supreme Court- hears cases from Appellate
level
Exclusive Jurisdiction
• Authority to decide on federal cases
Courts with Jurisdiction• U.S District Courts• U.S. Appellate Courts• U.S. Supreme Court
Concurrent Jurisdiction
• Authority to hear cases that can start in state or federal court
Courts with Jurisdiction• US District Court• NC District Court• NC Superior Court
Adversarial v. Inquisitorial
• Adversarial, Innocent until Proven Guilty (The System that we have in the US)
• Inquisitorial, Guilty until Proven Innocent (The System found throughout the Europe)
• Subpoena, requires someone to come to court, go to a deposition, or give
documents or evidence the accused.
• Summons, is an official notice of a lawsuit. It is
given to the person getting being sued, the defendant
Ways citizens can inform themselves of new laws…
• attend town meetings,• public hearings, or public forums• Media• utilizing government publications and
websites
Top Related