Types and Sources of Law  Types of Law: Criminal Law – defines what acts are crimes Civil Law – helps settle disputes between people  Five Main Sources of Law : - Statutory law – passed by lawmaking bodies - Common law – set by judicial decisions based on common sense and previous decisions - Administrative law – created by government agencies - Military law – based on the Uniform Code of Military Justice - Constitutional law – based on the Constitution and Supreme Court decisions

Document Timeline Magna Carta 1215 Created the first example of a limited monarchy and the rule of law. English Bill of Rights 1689 Established a limited monarchy and gave power to the law making body. It also reinforced the idea of Rule of Law. Mayflower Compact 1620 Provided for the idea of self government and social contract among the colonists. Common Sense 1776 Discussed the purpose of government and the need for American independence from the British crown. FLREA Copyright 2012

The main thing Federalists and Anti-Federalists had conflict over was whether to throw out the Articles of Confederation or to keep the Articles of Confederation Other areas where they disagreed: The concentration of power Should the power be concentrated in one strong national government or divided among the separate state governments? Inclusion of a Bill of Rights Does the Constitution in its original composition protect the rights of the people or should the rights of the people be clearly outlined? © The Florida Law Related Education Association, Inc.

22 nd Amendment (1951) I know, I know, George, I broke your tradition of only serving two terms Franklin Roosevelt was elected four times, all presidents are now limited to two terms. 2 Terms, 2 Terms per president.

Joining an interest group  What is an interest group ?  An interest group is a group of people who work together to support a cause and/or impact public policy. This could mean encouraging certain public policies created by government… …or opposing certain public policies created by government… …or trying to influence individuals in government to vote in certain ways. …or funding a particular candidate… Some Examples of Interest Groups: American Federation of Teachers

Interest Groups and Congress  How does an interest group get what they want from congress?  They hire someone called a lobbyist.  These are people paid by the interest group to get a congressman to see the issue as the interest group sees it.

Autocracy A government ruled by a single leader who has unlimited power and denies peoples’ fundamental rights. In a military dictatorship, the army is in control. One person is in charge and often takes over by force. Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, Sadam Hussein were examples FLREA © 2012

Compare & Contrast Various Forms of Government Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: Parliamentary & Presidential

Describe the two predominant forms of democratic government: parliamentary and presidential Parliamentary Democracy A system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature.

Describe the two predominant forms of democratic government: parliamentary and presidential Presidential Democracy A system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature. The executive branch exists separately from the legislature (to which it is generally not accountable).

Step 7 When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by When members of Congress are ready to vote they may do so by –Voice Vote –Standing Vote –Roll-call or today’s Computerized Vote –A simple majority is all that is needed to pass a Bill. If either house refuses to pass it, it dies –The Bill must be passed in identical formats in both houses – conference committees may be needed

Missouri Plan A method for determining who will be a judge. Started in Missouri (go figure) Method calls for an Independent Commission (group of people) chooses a group of people who would make good judges. Selected by legal authority (usually the governor) Every few years, the judge has to be retained in office by running for re- election. They don’t run against anyone, the voters just vote to either “keep” or “not keep” the judge.