1. The Law and the Individual
Unit VII
Sources of Our Laws

2. What are laws?
Set of rules that help people live together

3. What should laws do?
Major purpose is to keep the peace and prevent violent acts
Provide rules for resolving disagreements between groups or individuals

4. What makes a good law? Fairness – all people treated equally
Reasonable – punishment fits the crime
Understandable – laws are not to complicated for people to be able to follow
Enforceable – laws can be monitored and carried out by communities, state or federal authorities

5. Where do our laws come from?
Based on ideas, customs, and laws passed down from generations

6. History of Law Code of Hammurabi First known written legal system
Around 2000 BCE
Harsh penalties based on principle of “an eye for an eye”

7. The Ten Commandments
Found in the Hebrew Bible
Around 1200 BCE

8. The Ten Commandments

9. Roman Law
Written by the Roman Senate and Judges – representatives of the citizens
Justinian Code – Around 600 AD Byznatine Emperor Justinian organized Roman law which influenced
Catholic Church
Napoleonic Code

10. English Common Law
Established by Court Decisions rather than legal code
Based on precedents – previous decisions that are examples to follow
Makes the law consistent and fair

11. Criminal Law
Cases in which the state or federal government charges someone with a crime

12. Misdemeanors A relatively minor offense
Examples – minor vandalism, stealing inexpensive items

13. Felonies
A serious crime
Examples: murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery

14. Civil Law
When a person or group takes a legal action against another person or group

15. Lawsuit
When a person or group sues to collect damages

17. Types of Laws
Constitutional Law – deals with the formation, construction and interpretation of the Constitution
Highest law in the country

18. Administrative Law
Rules and regulations that the Executive Branch makes to carry out its job.

19. Statutory Law Statute – written law by a legislature Regulate behavior
Source of rights and benefits

20. Identify Each of the Following as A) Statutory Law B) Constitutional Law C) Administrative Law
The US Postal Service increases the price of a stamp to 60 cents
The right to get your drivers license when you turn 16
The right to remain silent when accused of a crime

21. Steps to a civil case Plaintiffs attorney files a complaint
Court sends a summons to defendant
Defendant’s attorney files a written answer
Attorneys for both sides exchange plea documents
Attorneys argue case in court
Court gives verdict

22. Steps to a Criminal Case
Arrest

23. Preliminary Hearing
Suspect appears before judge and bail is set

24. Indictment
Grand Jury (or judge) hears evidence and formally charges

25. Arraignment Defendant pleads not guilty and trial date is set
Defendant pleads guilty and accepts plea bargain – conviction of lesser charge for softer sentence

26. Trial Prosecution and Defense present case
Jury (or judge) reaches verdict

27. Acquittal
Defendant found not guilty

28. Sentencing
Defendant found guilty and judge sentences (punishes)