1. Hammurabi’s Code
The first written Code of law by King Hammurabi of Babylon nearly 4,000 years ago
Contained almost 300 laws
The Code was openly displayed for all to see, that way no man could plead ignorance of the law as an excuse.
Women and slaves had only the rights men allowed.
“If any one is committing a robbery and is caught, then he shall be put to death.”
“ If the "finger is pointed" at a man's wife about another man, but she is not caught sleeping with the other man, she shall jump into the river for her husband.”

2. The 10 Commandments
Belief of people from Jewish and Christian descent that God gave these rules to Moses for people to live by
You shall not steal
You shall not kill
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor
You shall not covet your neighbor's wife or goods

3. Justinian Code Written in 538
The position of the emperor as an absolute monarch with unlimited legislative, executive and judicial power is implicit throughout.
Christianity was the religion for the empire, uniting Church and state
If not a Christian you were unable to be a citizen

4. Draconian Law The First written of Athens
It was written so that a poor man might know what the law really was, so he could avoid breaking it.
Men were horrified at their severity.
Very liberal use of the death penalty, even used for the stealing of an apple from an orchard.

5. English Common Law Tradition of following earlier court decisions
Look at local customs when making decisions and written records of what other judges decided
Judges sometimes follow what people in the community believe to be right

6. The Two Main Sources of Laws
Statutes
Common law
Usually refers to laws written by the legislative branch (Congress, General Assembly, or city council)
Created to meet a need or solve a problem
Tradition inherited from England
Serves as precedent or previous proceedings by judges
Comes from previous court decisions (lower courts and the Supreme Court)
Reflects general customs and beliefs
Influences civil law (especially cash settlements)

7. Is it a statute or common law?
a court decision
a written law
Speed limits
Aggravated assault
You must attend school until you are 16
You can burn a flag
You cannot yell fire in a movie theater
You must stop at a stop sign
A teacher cannot lead a class in prayer
If you live together for seven years you are considered married.
Armed robbery
No littering
If a parent dies, the children are usually placed with the closest relative.
A woman received 2.3 million for burning her hand on a cup of coffee from McDonald’s
A school principal is allowed to censor the newspaper if it goes against the mission of the school

8. The Magna Carta
King John was forced to sign this document by nobles in 1215
It limited the King’s power
It protected the wealthy’s right to own property, have due process of law (fair procedure, and a trial by jury

9. Colonial Law in Virginia
A group of merchants founded the colony of Virginia in 1607, called Jamestown
The colony was loyal to the King and followed the Church of England, called a theocracy
It was a crime to not follow the rules of the church, including attending service twice a day (punishment on 1st offense was loss of food).
Small crimes such as stealing and adultery were heard by the local magistrate or judge
Large crimes such as treason, murder, and arson, and public drunkenness were heard by the King’s Court and usually including a public whipping
Public confessions and humiliation were often part of punishment
Gossip was a crime and punishment was wearing an iron mask of sort
Branding and maiming were normal punishments as well

10. Articles of Confederation
Able to pass laws, although difficult
Did not set up any federal courts
States had courts to interpret laws and decide a person’s guilt
States Only

11. The English Bill of Rights
Parliament offers William and Mary the thrown in 1689 as long as they agree to the following provisions:
Trial by jury
No excessive bail or fines
No cruel punishment
Right to petition government

12. Constitution
Sets up three branches of government: Art 1 the legislative, Art 2 executive, and Art 3 judicial
Art 6 (Supremacy Clause) states that the Constitution is the Supreme law of the land
Restricts the power of Congress from passing certain laws, such as:
NO bills of attainder- cannot take away a person’s trial by jury
NO writs of habeas corpus- Cannot put a person in prison without telling them what they did wrong
NO ex post fact laws- cannot say something is illegal, AFTER someone has already done it

13. Bill of Rights Written by James Madison
AntiFederalists wanted them added to protect citizens from the national government
Gives people rights when accused of a crime, such as: trial by jury of peers, being able to call witnesses on their behalf, being able to have a lawyer, and not having cruel and unusual punishment

14. The 14th amendment Added to the Constitution in 1868
It defines a citizen is defined as anyone born or naturalized in the United States
Gives equal rights under the law to African Americans
Later used for women, and handicapped to gain equal rights