Test 1 Flashcards
(141 cards)
What is law?
“A body of rules of action or conduct prescribed by controlling authority, and having binding legal force”
Law is _______, _________, constantly ________ and evolving
abstract, living, constantly changing, and evolving
Law provides _________, accountability, _________justice, ______
predictability, accountability, justice, protection
Law v. Justice
justice is interpreted differently by people
influenced by education, social class, upbringing
4 Types of Law
- common law
- constitutional law
- statutory
(statutory&constitutional: voting systems change both of these)
-administrative
Statutory Law
- originating from and passed by legislative bodies,
- only valid for the area governed by that entity
- used by all forms of gov. (zoning, advertising, taxes etc.)
Constitutional Law
- laws in US constitution,
- each state also has constitution
Common Law
-cases have been resolved by various courts
sets precedent
Prededent
creates boundaries which future cases must be decided
- once precedent has been decided in higher court, all future lower courts in that jurisdiction must rely on the prior decision
Administrative Law
laws that are developed, adopted, and enforced by gov. responsible for managing specific gov. agencies
(NLRB, OSHA)
Statutory law are enacted by:
- introducing bill
- moving from House to Senate
- Compromise
- Governor
Court System
-Federal
-State
-Administrative
(authority, procedures, and disputes are diff in each court system)
State Court
-jurisdiction to hear a case if it involves event that occurred w/in state
(breach of contract, personal injury, real estate transaction)
Federal Court
- citizens of diff states
- questions involving constitution or federal law
Administrative Courts
- created by congress or state legislation
- both create and enforce their own rules
Criminal Courts
- based on type of cases they hear
- only resolve criminal matters where ppl bring charges against individuals who violate law (misdemeanor or felony)
- represented by public prosecutor
Civil Court
resolve cases between
- individuals
- corps
- businesses
- orgs
- gov units involving noncriminal matters
criminal law
free society from harmful conduct
- prevent injury to health, safety, morals
- beyond reasonable doubt
Civil law
goal is to compensate the wronged party
- “Preponderance of the evidence”
Plaintiff
brought suit
Defendant
party being sued or tried
statute of limitations
suit must be filed within certain time period
Complaint
describes key facts of the situation
Discovery
used as a means to find out what is known about the incident or damages