Unit 7: The American Legal System

Ch. 19 Quick Review Are laws truly necessary? Why? Where do our laws come from? Can you explain the difference between Criminal and Civil Law?

Chapter 20: Criminal and Juvenile Justice *Chapter Focus: The problem of crime and how the criminal justice system deals with people accused of breaking the law.

Section 1: Crime in American Society In recent times it was reported that over one-million violent crimes were committed in the United States during a one-year period.

Types of Crime Assault Battery Burglary Embezzlement Treason Terrorism Placing someone in fear w/o actual physical contact Battery Harming someone using physical contact Burglary Illegally breaking into someone else’s property Embezzlement Stealing $$$ that has been entrusted to your care Treason Betraying your country and helping enemy forces Terrorism Using violence to get what you want from the govt. or society

Possible Causes of Crime Poverty and Unemployment More likely to break the law bc the system doesn’t seem to work for them. Loss of Values (Sense of Right and Wrong) Poor Parenting Drug Use Someone may steal to support a drug habit. Mental Illness Courts Going too Easy on Criminals Not Enough $$$ = Not Enough Police Violence in the Media (TV, Movies, Games, etc.)

Class Talk What do you think is / are the main reason(s) for crime in American society? Why?

Section 2: The Criminal Justice System When an adult is arrested, he / she goes through a process which includes Arraignment: Court Hearing in which the defendant is charged and enters a plea. Trial: Prosecution argues against the Defense on whether the defendant is guilty or not. Sentencing: Defendant is found guilty and punished Or Acquittal: Defendant is found not guilty and set free

Criminal Law: From Arrest to Conviction 1. Probable Cause or Warrant Issued. 2. Suspect Arrested and Read Miranda Rights. 3. Booking @ Police Station. 4. Prosecutor Determines if Case is Strong Enough. 6. Judge or Grand Jury Decides if Evidence is Strong Enough. 5. Lawyer hired or appointed. 8. Defendant Enters Plea of Not Guilty 7. Bail is set. 9. Pretrial Motions. 12. Jury Returns Verdict of Guilty 10. Jury Selection 11. Trial 13. Judge Sentences the Defendant

Section 3: The Juvenile Justice System Until about 100 years ago, children accused of crime in the US were treated like adults. Then a group of reformers fought to create a separate justice system for juveniles (young people).

Juvenile Court Procedure 1. Arrest and Intake Young person is arrested & taken to Juvenile Detention. 2. The Initial Hearing Judge decides if there is enough evidence against the accused young person. 3. The Adjudicatory Hearing Judge decides if the young person is guilty or not. 4. The Dispositional Hearing Judge decides the sentence (Juvenile Home, Group Home, Probation, etc.). 5. Aftercare Young person is assigned a parole officer.

Class Talk How is the Juvenile Justice System for young people different than the Criminal Justice System for adults?

Ch. 20 Quick Review What might be a possible cause of crime? Can you give a basic explanation of how our criminal justice system works? Do you think our juvenile justice system is fair? Why?

Ch. 20 Assessment Page 558 Complete # 1 – 12; 17 Reviewing Key Terms Write out the sentence with correct term underlined. Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Activities Write out the question and your response. * Turn in for a grade when completed..