Chapter 2

1. Chapter 2

2. Chapter Two deals with laws and the fact that laws come from many different sources. • What is the most obvious place that our laws come from in the United States? Chapter 2 – Part One • That’s Right: The U.S. Congress!!! • The U.S. Congress is made up of: • The House of Reps (435 Members) • The Senate (100 Members)

3. Laws passed by the United States Congress makes laws called statutesthat are binding to all people and states of America. • Federal Statutes usually deal with issues that have a national impact such as: taxes the environment, public health, defense and agriculture. • The Constitution lays out the areas in which the National Government can make laws. • Those laws are the top laws of the land because of the Supremacy Clause. Chapter 2 – Part One

4. States also have a legislature that passes laws that have impact on that state including: education, traffic, marriage and crimes. • Beyond Federal and State Laws, local governments also pass their own laws via groups like County Commissions and City Councils. Chapter 2 – Part One

5. When a law is passed it must be well written: • The Town of Beutifica has established a lovely park. The city council wishes to preserve some elements of nature, undisturbed by the city noise, traffic pollution, and overcrowding. The park is a place where citizens can go and find grass, trees, flowers and quiet. In addition, there are playgrounds and picnic ares. Chapter 2 – Part One - Activity

6. When a law is passed it must be well written: • The city council enacts a law requiring that at all the entrances to the park the following sign is to be posted: • NO VEHICLES IN THE PARK • Next, I will list eight situations, and for each one you must determine if the vehicle should be allowed in the park. Chapter 2 – Part One - Activity

7. 1. John Smith wants to save 10 minutes on his drive to work by cutting through the park. • 2. The Sanitation Department wants to pick up trash by driving the a truck into the park. • 3. An Ambulance is racing to the hospital and the shortest route is through the park. • 4. Two Police cars are chasing a suspected bank robber, if one car cuts through the park it can trap the robber’s car. Chapter 2 – Part One - Activity

8. 5. Some children who visit the park want to ride their bikes. • 6. Jane Thomas wants to take her baby to the park in a stroller. • 7. A monument is being erected to the town’s citizens who died in Vietnam. The town wants to place a tank besides the monument. • 8. Amul had both legs amputated and used an electric wheelchair. He wants to visit the park. Chapter 2 – Part One - Activity

9. Can You Write A Better Version of this Law? Chapter 2 – Part One - Activity

10. If a law is unclear, Judges have rules that they must follow when following. • The first thing Judges must look at is what was the Legislative Intent, meaning “What did the law makers want the law to do?” • If a word is up for debate, a judge must assume the words represents its everyday use. • Finally, if a law is written too vaguely a judge cannot enforce the law. Chapter 2 – Part One

11. The court system also can make laws in the United States. • When a party is not happy with the result of a trial, they can appeal. • When an Appellate Court (Appeals Court) makes a decision, a judge will write an opinion. • The opinion sets a precedent that all lower courts must follow. Chapter 2 – Part Two

12. The final group of law makers in the United States are Federal and State Agencies. • These groups are authorized by Congress or state legislatures, to make laws more specific. • For instance one of the agencies, The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, (OSHA) creates rules on safety such as how high guard rails must be in a factory or how many fire extinguishers a school must have. Chapter 2 – Part Three

13. Chapter 2 – Part Three

14. Chapter 2 – Part Three