Chapter 15.2 Types of Laws

Criminal and Civil Law Criminal laws seek to prevent people from deliberately or recklessly harming each other or each other’s property Criminal laws seek to prevent people from deliberately or recklessly harming each other or each other’s property American courts operate on an adversary system. Lawyers for opposing sides present their cases. The judge plays an impartial role. American courts operate on an adversary system. Lawyers for opposing sides present their cases. The judge plays an impartial role. Critics of the adversary system argue that it encourages lawyers to ignore unfavorable evidence. Supporters claim that it is the best system to bring out the facts of a case. Critics of the adversary system argue that it encourages lawyers to ignore unfavorable evidence. Supporters claim that it is the best system to bring out the facts of a case.

continued In criminal cases, the government is always the plaintiff- the party that brings charges against the defendant-the individual or group being sued. Most criminal cases are titled in terms of the state against the defendant. In criminal cases, the government is always the plaintiff- the party that brings charges against the defendant-the individual or group being sued. Most criminal cases are titled in terms of the state against the defendant. Felonies are serious crimes, such as murders, rape or robbery. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items. Misdemeanors are usually punished with fine or jail sentence less than one year. Felonies are serious crimes, such as murders, rape or robbery. Misdemeanors are less serious offenses, such as vandalism or stealing inexpensive items. Misdemeanors are usually punished with fine or jail sentence less than one year.

continued Civil cases involve disputes between people or groups, in which no criminal laws have been broken. A civil case is called a lawsuit-a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm done. Civil cases involve disputes between people or groups, in which no criminal laws have been broken. A civil case is called a lawsuit-a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect damages for some harm done. In civil cases, the plaintiff believes the defendant is to blame for some damage or loss of something of value. The dispute may involve a contract in which one party believes the other did not fulfill the terms of the agreement In civil cases, the plaintiff believes the defendant is to blame for some damage or loss of something of value. The dispute may involve a contract in which one party believes the other did not fulfill the terms of the agreement

continued Another type of dispute involves torts, or civil wrongs. In tort law a person may suffer an injury and claim that another party’s negligence was the cause. Another type of dispute involves torts, or civil wrongs. In tort law a person may suffer an injury and claim that another party’s negligence was the cause. Family law, another type of civil law, deals with issues such as divorce, child custody, adoption and child support. Family law, another type of civil law, deals with issues such as divorce, child custody, adoption and child support.

Public Law Public law, or constitutional law, involves rights guaranteed under the Constitution or spelled out in legislation. It guides courts and legislatures when they deal with punishments and fines. Constitutional laws are the highest laws in the land. Public law, or constitutional law, involves rights guaranteed under the Constitution or spelled out in legislation. It guides courts and legislatures when they deal with punishments and fines. Constitutional laws are the highest laws in the land.

continued Administrative law includes all the rules and regulations that government agencies issue to carry out their jobs. Administrative law includes all the rules and regulations that government agencies issue to carry out their jobs. Statutory law includes laws written by the legislatures at all levels of government. They establish rules such as speed limits and the minimum age for a work permit. Statutory law includes laws written by the legislatures at all levels of government. They establish rules such as speed limits and the minimum age for a work permit.

International Law International law comprises treaties, customs and agreements among nations. Violations may be brought to the International Court of Justice or World Court, located in The Hague, the Netherlands. International law comprises treaties, customs and agreements among nations. Violations may be brought to the International Court of Justice or World Court, located in The Hague, the Netherlands. The United Nations established the World Court to hear disputes that nations bring against other nations. The World Court has no enforcement powers. It must rely on the willingness of the parties to accept its rulings. The United Nations established the World Court to hear disputes that nations bring against other nations. The World Court has no enforcement powers. It must rely on the willingness of the parties to accept its rulings.