Units 5 and 6

Units 5 and 6Making Laws and Violating the Laws

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Purposes and Sources of Our Laws

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Laws do the following for Citizens

Bring about order

Provide Penalties/discourage people from committing a crime

Help settle agreements

Protect citizens rights

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Characteristics of a Good Law

Fair

Reasonable

Understandable

Enforceable

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Sources of Our Laws

Code of Hammurabi Established code of

conduct/punishments

Bible 10 Commandments

Roman Law

Napoleonic Code

English Law

Constitution

Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches of US Government

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Lobbyists, PACS, and the Media(Special Interest groups)

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Billions of dollars are spent on the election of the president and other important offices

Campaigns can be funded by Privately by Individuals Fundraising PACs Publicly (President Election Campaign Fund)

Special Interest groups have narrow views and impact elections by bringing issues up to the public

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Different types of Interests Groups support:

A particular economic interest

A particular ethnic group

Specific Cause

Public Interest

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Political AdvertisingCandidates make themselves visible through endorsements, public appearance, debates, and advertising

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Propaganda Techniques

Glittering Generalitiesuse attractive but vague words that sound good but say nothingPlain Folksmake voters feel like the leaders are just like themBandwagonmake it appear that everybody else is already supporting a candidateCard Stackingcandidate lists accomplishments and statistics Name-Callinginformation is presented to discredit the other candidateSymbolcandidate is shown with symbols

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Rights and Responsibilities

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US Citizens have the following basic rights

Writ of Habeus Corpus right to appear before a judge; can’t be arrested/held

without a cause No bill of attainder

Cant be punished without fair hearing and trial No ex post facto law

Cant be punished for an action that was legal when committed

Due Process of law Guarantees accused person will receive fair trial and

their constitutional rights Equal Protection under law

All people accused of a crime will be treated equally

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Rights guaranteed to the accused

Grand jury must issue indictment if they decide there is enough evidence

No Self Incrimination(plead the fifth): do not have to testify against yourself

Right to adequate defense Speedy and public trial No double jeopardy Right to appeal

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Legal responsibilities of citizens

Serve on jury when called

Testify in court

Obey all laws

Cooperate with law enforcements

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Civil Cases

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Steps in a civil suit:

1. Attorney files complaint on behalf of plaintiff

2. Court sends defendant summons3. Defendant’s attorney files written

answer(deny or admit) to complaint4. Attorneys exchange

documents(pleadings)to narrow issues

5. Attorneys present sides6. Lawsuit can appear before a jury

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Types of Civil Cases

Breach of contract Property disputes Personal injury/negligence Family matters(divorce, child

custody) Suit of equity

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Criminal Cases

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Steps in a Criminal Case

1. Suspect is arrested and read rights2. Suspect is booked, photographed,

fingerprinted3. Suspect goes to preliminary hearing4. Evidence of case goes to grand jury5. Suspect goes to arraignment to plead

guilty/not guilty6. Jurors are selected for trial7. Lawyers present case8. All 12 jurors(must be unanimous or it is hung

jury9. Sentence date is set

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Types of Crimes

Against Person Assault – attacking a person to cause injury Homicide – killing Murder – premeditated killing Manslaughter – unintentional killing Rape Kidnapping

Against Property Larceny – taking property without violence Robbery – taking property with violence Burglary – breaking and entering with intent to injure Arson – setting fire to property Vandalism – deliberate destruction of property

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Other Topics

White collar crimes – crimes against businesses Embezzlement Fraud

Victimless crime Gambling Drug use prostitution

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Juveniles in the Court systemIn NC a juvenile delinquent is someone under the age of 16 who commits a serious crime or repeatedly breaks the law

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Differences between Juvenile and Adult Court

JUVENILE COURT

Suspect is not fingerprinted

Hearing is less formal than a trial(no jury)

Hearings are closed to public

Found delinquent/not delinquent

Identity is kept secret from public

ADULT COURT

Suspect is fingerprinted

Trial with jury Anyone can attend

trial Found guilty/not guilty