1. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-1 Law A body of regulations that govern society and that people are obligated to observe Sources of law –Legislative branch – passes laws –Executive branch – implements laws –Judicial branch – interprets laws

2. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-2 Types of Law Common law – created by the judicial branch through court decisions Criminal law – dealing with criminal offenses and their punishments Private law – defines the relationship between private entities Public law – defines the relationship between government and the governed Case law – used as legal precedent

3. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. Types of Law Civil law – governs private rights and remedies, as well as disputes between individuals regarding contracts, property and family law; separate from criminal or public law 8-3

4. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-4 The Legal System Defendant – the accused in court Plaintiff – the person who files a lawsuit Litigant – a party to a lawsuit Litigation – a lawsuit or a contest in court Jurisdiction – power, right, and authority given to a court to hear a case and make a judgment Layperson – an individual without training in a specific profession

5. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-5 Violations of the Law Crime – an act that violates a criminal law Criminal – a person who has committed a crime or has been proven guilty of a crime Accessory – a person who contributes to or aids in the commission of a crime Felony – a serious crime punishable by death or imprisonment Misdemeanor – a crime that is less serious Tort – a civil wrong committed against a person or property

6. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-6 Violations of the Law Intentional torts –Assault –Battery –Defamation of character –False imprisonment –Fraud –Invasion of privacy –Trespass –Infliction of emotional distress

7. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-7 Violations of the Law Burglary – the act of breaking and entering into a building with the intent to commit a felony, especially in order to steal Unintentional torts – acts that are not intended to cause harm but are committed without regard to the consequences Tortfeasor – a person who commits a tort either intentionally or unintentionally

8. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-8 The Court System

9. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-9 Court System Appeal – a legal proceeding by which a case is transferred from a lower court to a higher court for rehearing Motion – an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction Arbitration – a hearing and determination or a case without litigation

10. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-10 Court System Summons – a request to respond to charges Subpoena – an official paper ordering a person to appear in court Subpoena duces tecum – an official document ordering a person to appear in court with certain records Witness – a person who can testify under oath to events he/she has heard or observed

11. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-11 Court System Testimony – statements sworn to under oath Deposition – sworn pretrial testimony Perjury – voluntary violation of an oath to tell the truth Interrogatory – formal written questions about a case Credibility – the quality or power of a witness to inspire belief

12. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-12 Court System Disposition – the final settlement of a case Verdict – the finding or decision reached by a jury or judge Bench trial – a trial in which a judge serves without a jury and rules on the law

13. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.. 8-13 Court System Assumption of risk – a legal defense that holds the defendant not guilty of a negligent act because the plaintiff knew of and accepted beforehand any risk involved Burden of proof – presenting testimony to prove guilt or innocence Plaintiff – the person bringing charges in a lawsuit Statute of limitations – period of time established by a state law during which a lawsuit may be filed