What are LAWS? A system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior

What is the purpose of Laws? Guide Behavior Reinforce right vs. wrong Protect us Organize us Provide us with a uniform set of standards Institute formal or informal punishments

How do Laws Organize Us? Tells people how to function in society Shapes our Government Preserves things that are important to us Safeguards our rights Provides us with Legal Protections Provides us with Services (FEMA) Provides us with Protection(Army, Navy..)

What the two types of Law? Civil Regulate relations between individuals, and provides compensation if necessary Criminal Regulates public conduct and provides penalties for those who break the law

Formal vs. Informal In America we abide by two forms of punishments: Formal: Jail, Fine, Probation Informal: Yell at someone

Felony v. Misdemeanor A FELONY is a crime that carries a punishment of more than a year in prison (theft, murder, DUI….) A MISDEMEANOR is a crime that carries a punishment of less than a year in prison (petty theft, public intoxication, simple assault, trespassing, indecent exposure)

Where do Laws come from? ……HISTORY Examples include: Hammurabi’s code (an “eye for an eye”), the 12 Tables (Rome), and Religious Law (Bible, Torah, Qu’aran) ENGLISH LAW has a heavy influence upon American law Common Law: Based upon common practices and past decisions by judges Statutory Law: Laws written in codes, and passed by Legislature “Habeas Corpus”: You can not be jailed without formal charges (means “you have the body”)