LAWMAKING CHAPTER 2

DO NOW: INTERPRET THESE QUOTES “Ours is a government of laws not men.” –John Adams As Patrick Henry left the Constitutional Convention he was asked “Who shall be king?” he replied “The law shall be king”

LEGISLATURES The Constitution divides the power to make laws between the federal and state government At both state and federal level, legislatures are primary lawmaking bodies Federal laws apply to every state State laws apply within their boundaries Federal statutes deal with issues of national impact for example: the environment, national defense, labor relations State statutes deal with areas over which the national government was not granted power by the constitution for example: education, traffic, state taxes, most criminal law, marriage and divorce

LEGISLATURES In addition to Congress and state legislatures, cities, towns and counties have lawmaking bodies called county or city councils Pass laws as ordinances or regulations For example, land use, parking, schools, and regulation of local business Laws passed by local governments apply only to that county or city Power given to the councils by the state

LEGISLATURES PROBLEM 2.2 Turn to page 22 answer a-f

DRAFTING A BILL Clarity in legal language is important Courts will not enforce laws that are unclear For example, “it shall be illegal to gather on a street corner without a good reason”

DRAFTING A BILL Problem 2.3 page 23 a-f

AGENCIES Administrative agencies develop rules and regulations to make laws more specific These regulations influence almost every aspect of our lives and have the force of law For example, OSHA Greatest impact on daily life are agencies at the state and local levels For example, a zoning commission, or school board Make regulations without going through legislative committees or votes, but usually hold public hearings

COURTS Law is also made by courts Person who loses a trial can sometimes ask a higher court to review and change the result of the trial Higher courts called appeals or appellate courts When they decide a case it sets the precedent for similar cases All lower courts where precedent was issued must follow it