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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? .
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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
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
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 case • Plaintiffs attorney files a complaint • Court sends a summons to defendant • Defendant’s attorney files a written answer • Attorneys for both sides exchange plea documents • Attorneys argue case in court • Court gives verdict
Steps to a Criminal Case • Arrest
Preliminary Hearing • Suspect appears before judge and bail is set
Indictment • Grand Jury (or judge) hears evidence and formally charges
Defendant pleads not guilty and trial date is set Defendant pleads guilty and accepts plea bargain – conviction of lesser charge for softer sentence Arraignment
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) • Magistrates Issues search and arrest warrants, issues arraignments (charges) • District Attorney Represents state in all criminal cases