1. Lawsuits -Lawsuits are when one person sues another for damages -Property Disputes -Contract Issues -Divorce -Negligence-- Term explaining the idea that an accident was caused by the careless actions of another person -Personal Injury

2. Suits of Equity -Another type of Civil Law -Suits of Equity ask the court to make a decision based on fairness in an area where there is no law -Usually started to prevent some action from taking place (tear down a park to replace with office) -Injunctions—a court order to do or not do something Result of a Suit of Equity

3. Civil Court Procedure -Can take years to settle in court because of so many cases -Adversarial Nature **two sides use attorneys, judge makes sure procedure is followed Steps: -File a Complaint -Summons is issued -Attorney’s exchange pleadings -Court presentations -Judge or jury deliberate -Verdict is issued

4. Criminal Cases -Criminal Case -law that deal with cases involving violations of criminal code -Penal Code set of written laws and punishments designed by each state and the federal government to describe crimes

5. Types of Criminal Cases -Misdemeanors: Minor crime -Felonies: Major Crime -Crimes against Property Larceny, Burglary, Robbery Vandalism, Fraud, Embezzlement -Crimes against People Murder Manslaughter Rape Kidnapping Assault

6. Types of Criminal Cases -Misdemeanors -Felonies -Crimes against Property Larceny, Burglary, Robbery Vandalism, Fraud, Embezzlement -Crimes against People Murder Manslaughter Rape Kidnapping Assault

7. Criminal Penalties -Penalties vary according to the seriousness of the crime committed -Crime against people will carry greater punishments -Role of Punishment -rehabilitation, deterrence -Indeterminate Sentencing -Judge gives a range of sentences -Mandatory Sentencing: Minimum sentence that must be placed on someone who has broken the law -3 strike laws: any 3 felonies means mandatory life sentence

8. Important Vocabulary Retribution: long prison sentences, the death penalty, unfavorable conditions in prison Rehabilitation: transforming criminals in to law abiding citizens Deterrence: preventing future crimes (death penalty could be considered deterrence) Recidivism: tendency to repeat or relapse to a life of crime Restitution: giving or getting back money or property lost as a result of a crime (monetary compensation) Parole: early release from prison for good behavior. MAINLY USED TO KEEP FROM OVERCROWDING OF PRISONS