1. Jody Blanke, Professor Computer Information Systems and Law Mercer University, Atlanta

2. Sources of Law Constitutional Law

3. Federal (U.S.) Constitution With a “capital C” Provides framework for government Article I – Legislative Branch Article II – Executive Branch Article III – Judiciary Branch Provides for individual rights Bill of Rights (first 10 amendments) State Constitutions

4. Sources of Law Constitutional Law Statutory Law

5. Congress Senate House of Representatives Authorized by Constitution Enumerated Powers Clause State Legislatures Mostly bicameral Codification of common law

6. Sources of Law Constitutional Law Statutory Law Case Law

7. Federal Courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal 11 geographic, plus D.C. and Federal circuits District Courts 94, at least 1 in each state State Courts 50 different systems

8. Sources of Law Constitutional Law Statutory Law Case Law Administrative Law

9. Federal Agencies Authority from Constitution Enabled by Congress Provide needed manpower and expertise Legislative, executive and judiciary power “Fourth Branch” – “We the People”? State Agencies Similar to federal

10. Sources of Law Constitutional Law Statutory Law Case Law Administrative Law Other

11. Proclamations Orders Treaties

12. The Law Evolves Laws must change as society changes Ex. Plessy v. Ferguson (1897) “Civil War” Amendments 14 th Amendment Brown v. Board of Education (1954) 14 th Amendment

13. The Law Evolves Ex. Physician Assisted Suicide Right to refuse treatment Karen Anne Quinlan Living wills Nancy Cruzan Dr. Kevorkian Oregon’s Death with Dignity Act Washington v. Glucksberg and Quill v. Vacco (1997) S. Court referred to Oregon and the “laboratory of the states” Washington, Montana

14. The Law (Usually) Makes Sense McDonald’s and the Hot Cup of Coffee Hot Coffee – The Movie

15. Federal Court System

16. Federal Court System (cont.)

17. Supreme Court appellate and original jurisdiction Courts of Appeal 11 geographically divided courts (plus 2 specialty courts) appellate jurisdiction only District Courts 94 courts (1 to 4 per state) original jurisdiction only

18. Supreme Court – Original Jurisdiction

19. Federal District Court Criminal Cases Civil Cases Federal Question Jurisdiction Diversity Jurisdiction complete diversity of the parties amount in controversy greater than $75,000

20. State Court Systems 50 different systems Similar to federal “triangular” in shape many courts with limited jurisdiction Georgia Supreme Court Court of Appeals Superior Court “highest of the low-level courts” Lots of low-level courts

21. Georgia Court System

22. Appeals Generally, questions of law are appealed, questions of fact are not U.S. Supreme Court Must petition for a writ of certiorari “Rule of Four” 8,000 requests per year – 80 granted

23. Burden of Proof Criminal case “beyond a reasonable doubt” burden on prosecution, i.e., state Civil case “by a preponderance of the evidence”, i.e., more likely than not burden on party making the claim, usually the plaintiff Ex. O.J. Simpson; Hans Kraus; Andrea Sneiderman