1. Street Law
Chapter 1

2. Law
Rules and regulations made and enforced by government that regulate conduct within a society
Jurisprudence- the study of law and legal philosophy
Home, School, Outside World
Without law there would be confusion and disorder
No one is above the law. (Laws are the same for all.)

3. Laws and Values Laws are influenced by society’s ideas of right/wrong
Laws must balance minority rights with majority rule along with responsibilities
As values change, so do laws

4. Goals of Legal System Protect human rights Promote fairness
Help resolve conflict
Promote social order and stability
Promote desirable social and economic behavior
Represent the will of the majority
Protect the rights of minorities

5. Values Creating Laws Moral Economic Political Social Combined Values
Killing
Economic
Tax benefits to home owners
Political
Vote
Social
Free public education
Combined Values
Stealing (wrong, loss of property, punishment, respect)

6. Can Laws Solve Social Problems?
Alcoholism
Drug Abuse

7. Which Value is Involved?
Economic, Social, Political, or Moral?
All drivers must stop at stop signs.
It is a crime to cheat on your tax return.
All citizens may vote at age eighteen.
Special government programs lend money to minority-owned businesses at low interest rates.
Government officials may not accept gifts from people who want them to pass certain laws.
Possession of marijuana is a crime.

8. The Case of the Shipwrecked Sailors
Read the case on page 6
Answer questions A-F
Discuss with class

9. Human Rights
Rights that belong to all people simply because they are human beings
Dignity and respect
Homes, schools, workplaces

10. What human rights are important to you?
Problem 1.4 pg. 10
Answer questions a-f
Discuss with class

11. What human rights are important to others?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, and right to participate in government
Adequate food, education, housing, health care
Job, safe working conditions, salary, own property
Countries use human rights when writing laws
Human Rights in USA pg. 10
Read and answer a-c
Discuss with class

12. Balancing Rights with Responsibilities
With every right comes a responsibility
Trial by jury- serve on a jury
Democracy- vote
Attend school- _________________________
Just because you have the right to do something does not mean that you should
Freedom of speech- hateful/abusive words

13. Kinds of Laws Criminal Law Civil Law Public conduct in society
Punished by prison, fine, supervision
Felonies- punished by more than one year in prison
Murder, robbery
Misdemeanor- punished by less than one year in prison/fine
Assault, theft
Civil Law
Argument between two people
Lawsuit for cash

14. Trial Defendant- person accused of crime
Plaintiff- person harmed by defendant
Prosecutor- lawyer helping plaintiff
Beyond a reasonable doubt- every person on the jury must be certain the defendant committed the crime
One juror that believes the defendant is innocent will set the defendant free
Criminal Cases
Preponderance of evidence- the evidence shows the defendant PROBABLY committed the crime
Civil Cases

15. Our Constitutional Framework
Highest law in land
Limited government
Checks and Balances
Bill of Rights
First 10 Amendments
Separation of powers
3 branches: executive (President), legislative (Congress), judicial (Supreme Court)

16. Legislative Branch Congress
Two houses: Senate and House of Representatives
Writes/Passes laws (Statutes)
Laws must pass both houses
Can override Presidential Veto with 2/3 vote

17. Executive Branch
Veto- cancel a law written by Congress

18. Judicial Branch Judicial review- examines a law from Congress
Unconstitutional- violates the Constitution and cannot exist
Congress does not have authority to pass law (State issue)
Federalism (State, Federal, Both Powers)
Congress passed a law that violates the Constitution

19. Chapter 1 Project Laws Human Rights Constitution
The Bill of Rights protects our freedoms as American citizens. Using your book pg , list Amendments Then explain what human right is being protected by each Amendment. Then examine each Amendment again. Are there any laws that limit these rights? Explain the law and why the limit exists.

20. Example Chapter 1 Project
1st Amendment: Freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition
Human rights- worship god of choice, make complaints in order to make change
Laws that limit those rights- no human sacrifices/abuse in the name of religion, cannot yell “Fire” in a movie theater, cannot print false statements about someone/business