Chapter 1 Part 2

CRIMINAL LAWSCIVIL LAWS  Regulate public behavior & responsibilities to society  Case can only be brought by government  Two types  Felonies- Major (minimum 1 year in jail)  Misdemeanors- Minor (maximum 1 year in jail)  Regulate interactions between people/groups  Civil Action Case (Lawsuit) can be brought by a person/group

 Who’s involved  Prosecutor: District Attorney, works for government  Defendant: the person accused of the crime

 Prosecutor must prove guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt”  If the jury (or judge) has any reasonable doubts to the guilt of the defendant, they must vote not guilty  “Innocent until proven guilty”

 Who’s involved?  Plaintiff: person/group harmed  Defendant: person/group accused of harming

 Plaintiff’s attorney(s) must convince jury (or judge) by “preponderance of the evidence”  The plaintiff’s complaint is more than likely true

 It is possible to face criminal and civil charges for the same event  O.J.  Manslaughter = Wrongful death

 Constitution lists:  Government’s powers  Limits of powers  People’s rights/freedoms that cannot be taken away by government

 3 Branches  Executive: enforces the law  Legislative: makes the laws (statutes)  Judicial: interprets the laws

 System in which branches of Gov. make sure one branch does not become too powerful