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Chapter 1

Chapter 1. Materials to Supplement Textbook. The Natural Law School. Natural law denotes a system of moral principles that are inherent in human nature The moral principles are usually identified through belief in God and a religious system, or through the application of human reason

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Chapter 1

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  1. Chapter 1 Materials to Supplement Textbook J. Pittman, Instructor

  2. The Natural Law School J. Pittman, Instructor Natural law denotes a system of moral principles that are inherent in human nature The moral principles are usually identified through belief in God and a religious system, or through the application of human reason For example, consider the Declaration of Independence

  3. Declaration of Independence J. Pittman, Instructor IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness

  4. Martin Luther King J. Pittman, Instructor The natural law school influenced the civil rights movement of the 1960s – as reflected by Martin Luther King's writings The following letter excerpt was written after Reverend King lead peaceful civil disobedience against racial segregation in Birmingham, Alabama in 1963

  5. Martin Luther King'sLetter from Birmingham Jail J. Pittman, Instructor April 13, 1963 MY DEAR FELLOW CLERGYMEN: While confined here in the Birmingham city jail, I came across your recent statement calling my present activities "unwise and untimely." . . . I want to try to answer your statements in what I hope will be patient and reasonable terms

  6. Martin Luther King'sLetter from Birmingham Jail J. Pittman, Instructor You express a great deal of anxiety over our willingness to break laws. This is certainly a legitimate concern. Since we so diligently urge people to obey the Supreme Court's decision of 1954 outlawing segregation in the public schools, at first glance it may seem rather paradoxical for us consciously to break laws. One may ask: "How can you advocate breaking some laws and obeying others?". . . .

  7. Martin Luther King'sLetter from Birmingham Jail J. Pittman, Instructor The answer lies in the fact that there are two types of laws: just and unjust. Now, what is the difference between the two? . . . A just law is a man-made code that squares with the moral law or the law of God. An unjust law is a code that is out of harmony with the moral law

  8. Martin Luther King'sLetter from Birmingham Jail J. Pittman, Instructor We should never forget that everything Adolf Hitler did in Germany was "legal" and everything the Hungarian freedom fighters did in Hungary was "illegal" . . .

  9. Sources of American Law J. Pittman, Instructor At the federal level, the primary sources of law include the Constitution, federal statutes and regulations, and executive orders At the state level, the same sources of law exist – a constitution, statutes, and so forth State courts also create law through the common law process, a power the federal government lacks

  10. 2nd Tier - The Common Law Process The Legal Process - An Overview 1st Tier - Law Sources – in Rank Order 1. US Constitution 2. Federal Statutory & Regulatory Law 3. State Constitution 4. State Statutory & Regulatory Law 5. Local Law Above sources are created by lawmakers and interpreted by courts – Stare Decisis is important regarding precedents Stare Decisis, or Overruling Precedent, or Creating First Precedent Common law is created by and found only in state court opinions J. Pittman, Instructor

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