Business Law

Differentiate between ethical and legal behavior.  Compare ethical practices and legal behaviors.  Examine ethical dilemmas in business and in law.

 Identify the legal rights & responsibilities of citizens/non- citizens. ◦ Define citizens and identify examples of non-citizens. ◦ Differentiate between legal and illegal immigrants. ◦ Describe the legal rights of citizens and non-citizens. ◦ Describe the legal responsibilities of citizens and non- citizens.  Compare the legal rights and responsibilities of minors and adults. ◦ Identify the age of majority. ◦ Understand examples of rights afforded to adults but not extended to minors.

 Born in the United States  Born to parents who are U.S. citizens

 Enjoy all freedoms, protections, and legal rights promised by the Constitution

 People from foreign countries can become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process.  People who were not born as citizens but who become citizens are known as naturalized citizens.

 Be at least 18 years old  Live in the U.S. as a legal resident for at least 5 years  Be of good moral character and loyal to the U.S.  Be able to read, write, speak, & understand basic English  Have basic knowledge and understanding of the history, government, and Constitution of the U.S.  Be willing to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

1. Non-citizens file an application 2. Take a naturalization examination 3. Appear for a court hearing

 Aliens – people who are permanent residents of a country but do not hold citizenship  Nationals – natives of American territories

 Emigrated from a foreign country and legally reside in the U.S. with a green card  Receive the same treatment of citizens with regard to the “inalienable rights” of the Constitution  Green cards are for… ◦ Adoption ◦ Employment ◦ Investment ◦ Marriage ◦ Relative

 Receive the following rights as long as they do not interfere with national security, public safety, U.S. laws, customs of citizens ◦ Leave country ◦ Expression / assembly ◦ Work & own property ◦ Bring spouse or dependent children to U.S. from another country ◦ Social services, education, social security  No political (voting) rights

 Live in U.S. territories  Do not have full political rights  Enjoy all legal protections afforded to citizens

 Aliens who have entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa (green card)  Subject to deportation

 A minor is a person who has not yet reached the age of adulthood.  The age of majority is 18 in most states. ◦ Age 19 in Alabama & Nebraska ◦ Age 21 in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and Puerto Rico  An emancipated minor is one who is no longer under the legal control of his or her parents. ◦ Automatically emancipated if married or independent  Minors who claim to be adults are committing fraud.

 Driving is a privilege, not a right. ◦ Must be earned then kept under conditions of good behavior ◦ Usually states will not permit licensure under the age of 16  Minors as Students ◦ May be searched in school if officials have reason to suspect the law or a school rule has been broken ◦ Freedom of speech/expression may be restrained in school-sponsored settings

 Juvenile courts deal with offenders who are minors.  Most juvenile matters are sealed (not open to the general public).  Hearings are often more informal.  No right to a trial by jury  No right to be released on bail  May be convicted as an adult if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt

 Minors may not possess alcohol. ◦ Zero-tolerance in most states ◦ Must be 21 or older  Minors may not possess tobacco products. ◦ Usually granted by age of majority (which is 18 in most states)

 Vary from state to state  Minors may not use cell phones while driving  In Virginia, minors must follow laws pertaining to the number of passengers in the vehicle.

 Contracts made by minors are voidable by the minor.  For this reason, minors are usually not allowed to enter into contracts.