1. Preserving the Rule of Law
National Judicial Outreach Week
March 1-10, 2019

3. Why Do We Care About the Law?
In 1776, King George III ruled England and the American colonies. The laws that applied to the colonists did not apply to King George. As King, he was above the law.
Back in Colonial times, it was the
Rule of a King, the Rule of a man.

4. Unlike Colonial Rule, Our Democratic Government is . . .
“a government of laws,
not of men.”
John Adams, 1774

5. What is a Government of Laws?
Everyone respects and follows “the rule of law” – no one is “above” the law.

6. Everyone is subject to the law.
The Law is King
Everyone is subject to the law.

7. What are the Sources of Our Laws?
Remind them from their early education civics classes, that there are three branches of government.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
And there are two layers of government:
Federal & State
Today we are talking about the Colorado state courts.
Federal and State Constitutions

8. What are the Sources of Our Laws?
Legislative
Branch
Executive
Branch
Judicial
Branch
Remind them from their early education civics classes, that there are three branches of government.
Legislative
Executive
Judicial
And there are two layers of government:
Federal & State
Today we are talking about the Colorado state courts.
Statutes
Regulations
Decisions
Federal, State and Local Levels

9. How does America ensure that its laws apply to everyone?

10. Equal Justice Under Law
The Court System
Equal Justice Under Law

11. How do courts protect our country’s commitment to following the rule of law?

12. Everyone has the right to equal justice under the law.
Impartial Application of the Law
Everyone has the right to equal justice under the law.

13. Would it be equal justice if . . .
The Law
Would it be equal justice if . . .
a judge decides a case in favor of someone
just because that person is a powerful politician?

14. Would it be equal justice if . . .
The Law
Would it be equal justice if . . .
a judge who handles job discrimination lawsuits
always rules in favor of employers
regardless of the evidence?

15. Would it be equal justice if . . .
The Law
Would it be equal justice if . . .
a judge disparages
people of a certain ethnic or religious heritage?

16. Would it be equal justice if . . .
The Law
Would it be equal justice if . . .
a judge decides a case in favor of someone
just because that person donated money
to the judge’s favorite charity?

17. How else do courts protect our country’s commitment to following the rule of law?

18. Everyone has the right to “due process” or fair procedures in court:
A Fair Process
Everyone has the right to “due process” or fair procedures in court:
Notice
Timely, orderly & public process
Right to have a lawyer represent you
Opportunity to be heard
Right to call witnesses
Right to confront witnesses
Right to appeal

19. The Law Would it be fair if . . . a judge decides a case because
letters to the editor or a newspaper editorial
say he should rule that way?

20. The Law Would it be fair if . . .
a judge decides a case against a party
because demonstrators outside the courthouse
want the court to rule
against that party’s position in the case?

21. a judge decides a case without hearing your side?
The Law
Would it be fair if . . .
a judge decides a case without hearing your side?

22. The Law Would it be fair if . . . a governor makes a speech
about how a case should be decided,
the judge decides the case
to gain favor with the governor?

23. The Law Would it be fair if . . . a judge decides a case for one party
because it would help the judge
get retained in office or re-elected?

24. What would it be like if . . .?
Powerful individuals & groups were “above the law?”
•••
those individuals & groups created laws
that required courts to decide cases
based on a party’s
Race
Ethnicity
Country of origin
Religion
Party affiliation
Home address
Health & fitness
Loyalty oath

25. So what is the Rule of Law?
No one is “above” the law.
The Law Rules G7

26. How do we ensure that our government is …
a government of laws, not of men?

27. Fair & Impartial Courts
ensure
that the laws are applied to everyone equally and fairly and that no one is above the law.

28. In our courts … Everyone is subject to the law.
Everyone has the right to equal justice under the law.
Everyone has the right to fair & impartial procedures.

29. Fair & Impartial Courts
Preserving
Fair & Impartial Courts
preserves
The Rule of Law