1. Citizens and the Law
Civics
Ch. 15

2. Lesson 1: Sources and Types of Law

3. Lesson 1 Why do we have laws?
Laws are a set of rules that help people get along
They help to keep the peace and prevent criminal acts
Laws establish which actions a society permits and which it does not.

4. Lesson 1 What makes a good law? Has to be fair
A fair law gives equal treatment to all people who are in a similar situation
Has to be reasonable
Punishments should fit the crime
Have to be understandable
If laws are too complicated, people might break them unintentionally
Have to be enforceable
Need to be enforced by local communities, state authorities, or federal authorities
Most people tend to obey laws they understand and believe to be reasonable and fair.

5. Lesson 1 Development of the Legal System Hammurabi’s Code
Earliest example of a set of laws that were written down
Israelite Law
Followed a different set of written laws which forbade murder and theft
Roman Law
Came to be known as the Justinian Code
Simplified Roman Law into an orderly body of rules
Napoleonic Code
Napoleon’s unified law code
Louisiana wrote a set of laws based on this code
English Common Law
Most important influence on the American legal system
English brought over the idea of individual rights

6. Lesson 1 Types of Laws Criminal Law These laws protect public safety
Broken down into felonies and misdemeanors
Murder, robbery, and other serious crimes fall into the felony category
Vandalism or stealing low cost items are examples of misdemeanors
Crimes against property are most common type of crime

7. Lesson 1 Types of Laws Civil Law
Usually disputes between people or groups
A civil case brought to court is a lawsuit
Deals with money and not jail time

8. Lesson 1 Types of Laws Military Law
Only applies to those serving in the U.S. military or civilians who work for the U.S. military
Can get put into jail for disobeying or showing disrespect to your superior officers
Could end up in a court-martial and dishonorable discharge

9. Lesson 1 Sources of Law: U.S. Constitution State Constitutions
Statutes – law written by legislative branch
Case law – law established by judicial decision
Administrative agencies – Federal Aviation Administration; Federal Drug Administration; Center for Disease Control

10. Lesson 2: The American Legal System

11. Lesson 2 Basic Legal Rights Protection Against Unlawful Imprisonment
Writ of habeas corpus
Lets you go before a judge to justify your imprisonment
Constitution prevents bills of attainder (punishes someone without a fair hearing or trial) and ex post facto laws (it was not against the law when the original crime was committed)
Due Process – government cannot take our lives, liberty, or property without following legal procedure

12. Lesson 2 Rights of the Accused
A person is believed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law
4th Amendment protects against “unreasonable search and seizure”
Police need probable cause to get a search warrant
Evidence that is gathered that violates the 4th Amendment cannot be used in a court of law

13. Lesson 2 Rights of the Accused
5th Amendment states that no person can be forced “to be a witness against himself”
Guarantees due process
Protects against self-incrimination
Protects against double jeopardy
Provides for grand juries in the case of federal crimes

14. Lesson 2 Rights of the Accused
Sixth Amendment guarantees the right to counsel
Guarantees the right to know the accusations
Guarantees the right to a speedy public trial
Guarantees the right to confront witnesses
Guarantees the right to be tried by an impartial jury

15. Lesson 2 Rights of the Accused
Eighth Amendment forbids cruel and unusual punishment
Prohibits excessive bail

16. Lesson 2 Rights of the Accused
14th Amendment requires the states to treat all people equally under the law
Guarantees due process