LECTURE 3: OTHER TYPES OF LAW

The Law and Legal Systems Juvenile Law: the legal process for a juvenile (a person under the age of 18) i s significantly different from the process for adults. – A juvenile offender is called a juvenile delinquent. – A juvenile is not entitled to trial by jury nor are juvenile trials public. This is to protect the privacy of the child.

The Law and Legal Systems The primary purpose of juvenile justice is rehabilitation, so sentences tend to be less severe for young people. – Juveniles are often sentenced to probation (court supervision for a period of time) or community service. – If incarceration (imprisonment) is deemed necessary, juveniles are not jailed with adults, but are placed in separate facilities.

The Law and Legal Systems – The criminal record of many juveniles is erased when they reach 18. This is to allow the juvenile to enter adulthood without the burden of a criminal record. – In some circumstances, juveniles are tried as adults.

The Law and Legal Systems The Juvenile Justice system also hears cases involving “neglect.” – In cases of neglect, the juvenile has not broken any laws, but has been neglected or abused by his/her caretakers. – In these cases, judges may remove the child from the home and place him/her elsewhere, such as in a foster home.

The Law and Legal Systems Family law. Involves cases such as divorce, child custody, adoption, child support, and spousal or child abuse.

The Law and Legal Systems Most cases of family law are handled as civil cases, except instances of abuse, when criminal charges might be filed.

The Law and Legal Systems Constitutional Law – Governs the relationship between the judicial, executive, and legislative branches of government. – Governs the relationship between the national government and state governments. – Deals with issues that involve the civil liberties and civil rights contained in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. – Cases can initiate at any judicial level, and are usually lawsuits.

The Law and Legal Systems Administrative Law – Administrative law is the authority of government agencies to make rules about business, banking and other financial services, manufacturing, the environment, taxation, broadcasting, immigration, food and drugs, transportation, and many others. – A lawsuit may be brought by individuals or businesses if they feel a government agency has exceeded its authority or ruled in a way that has been detrimental or unfair.

The Law and Legal Systems Administrative Law – These cases rarely involve a jury. Typically, there is a hearing which might reach appellate courts upon appeal.

The Law and Legal Systems There is no separate type of law called Internet Law, however, the growth of the internet has created new opportunities, but also new problems for law enforcement. – It has become a powerful tool for hate groups – It has enabled political parties, candidates, bloggers, and special interests to spread information that is deliberately misleading, to the point that it may constitute slander or libel.

The Law and Legal Systems -It has created new ways for government, businesses, and criminals to invade privacy. -The internet has made it harder to enforce copyright and intellectual property rights -It has been difficult to control children’s access to inappropriate content.

The Law and Legal Systems Internet law is relatively new, but there have been several notable laws and decisions: – Reno v Civil Liberties Union (1997) – the government cannot censor most internet content for adults – Internet Protection Act of 2000 – requires schools to install filtering software. – Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer v Grokster (2005) – found that many file-sharing sites violate copyright laws.