1. Basics of the Law
Competency 1.00

2. Judeo-Christian Influences
Circa 1200 BC until 1st century AD
The Ten Commandments
Set of Jewish laws
The Bible
Old and New Testament religious rules of conduct
Christianity influenced American law

3. **International Note**
In other countries, laws are based on moral and religious rules.
Islam: Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, practice the Muslim faith.
Hinduism: India studies the Mahabharata for rules of living.
Buddhism: Southeast Asia and Japan follow the teachings of Buddha.

4. Evolution of American Law
Laws are rules of conduct established by the government of a society to maintain stability and justice in that society.
American law, like its people, is a blending of changing ideas and diverse cultures.

5. English Common Law Developed in 12th Century England
The judges shared decisions with other judges so justice was served equally or “in common.”
Effective: US gained independence, adopted into the US Constitution
Common law
Unwritten law based on local customs

6. Constitutional Law The US Constitution is the supreme law of land.
Any state or local law that conflicts with the US Constitution is unconstitutional.
If unconstitutional, then law is null and void.
The Supremacy Clause, US Constitution Article VI
Balance of powers between the three branches; our legal system is based upon three levels of government
Legislative –Article 1
Executive – Article 2
Judicial – Article 3

7. Legislative Branch
Led by Congress. Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate consists of two members from every state. The House of Representatives consists of members based on their population.
Article I (pg 15 of textbook)
Section 1 through Section 10

8. Executive Branch Led by the President. Elected by vote of the people
Article II (pg 15 of textbook)
Section 1 through Section 4

9. Judicial Branch
Led by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court decides if the law being made is constitutionally correct.
Article III
Sections 1 through 3

10. Rights of Citizens US Constitution guarantees rights to citizens
Bill of Rights – Individual rights
Rights of Representation
Arrest/Trial Rights
Suffrage (Voting) Rights
States Rights
Right to amend Constitution

11. Administrative Agencies
Are set up when expert knowledge is needed
Have a limited scope of power
Are subject to judicial review by the court system
Court system has the final decision
Regulate activities for the public

12. Ethics
Ethics: deciding what is a right or wrong action in a reasoned, impartial manner
Morality: involves the values that govern society’s attitude toward right and wrong
Ethics are based around the following basics:
Feelings and Opinions
The Greatest Good
The Golden Rule
Consequential Reasoning
Rule-based reasoning

13. Feelings and Opinions
Ethics are viewed as how a person feels about a certain situation
Ethics may also be based on what opinions are expressed about certain situations

14. The Greatest Good
The idea is that must people will base their opinion of ethics based on how a certain situation affects the greatest amount of people
The more good that result, the more ethical the action taken
The more bad the result, the less ethical the action taken

15. Consequential Reasoning
Takes a look at the consequences of the action before making a decision on what way to act
Looks at alternative actions and it gives the final outcome of each action

16. Law of precedent
When a judge is required to follow an earlier court decision when deciding a case with similar circumstances, also called stare decisis
Concept of law: File a lawsuit