Four Ideals that Support Our Government 1. The Rule of Law 4. Impartial Courts & Judges 2. The Separation of Powers 3. Checks & Balances

 The law is to be followed by everyone and gives everyone the same rights Ideal #1 The Rule of Law

What if umpires could make up their own rules during a game?

What if umpires could make up their own rules during a game? Umpire: Foul Ball!

Batter: What! I clearly hit it through center field and out of the park, that means that it’s a home run! How can you say it’s a foul?

Umpire: Too bad, that’s my definition of a foul.

Batter: Show me where you got your definition.

Umpire: Look, those are just my rules. I’m the umpire, deal with it.

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE (July 4, 1776) List of ways that King George III was acting unfairly Like a bad umpire, King George ordered judges to decide cases based on his wishes, not the rule of law

CONSTITUTION (Sept. 17, 1787) Just as all sports have rules, our government has the constitution, this is the set of rules that the government must follow. The constitution strengthened the rule of law by:  Allowing the courts to protect rights -Speedy jury trial, and other rights  Removing governmental and popular influences from the court The constitution also separated the powers of government

Ideal # 2 The Separation of Powers Into Three Branches of Government Legislative Create the law Executive Carry out the law Judicial Interpret and apply the law

Impartial Courts & Judges Impartial Courts & Judges Impartiality is a judge’s ability to decide cases:  Only considering the law; (As an umpire would only consider the rules)  Not considering personal gain, prejudices, preferences, or beliefs; (As an umpire would not call in favor of their favorite team)  Without outside powers telling judges how to make decisions or run their courtrooms;  (As fans and team managers can’t tell umpires how to make calls).

The Separation of Powers (cont.)  The government’s powers are split between the three branches  Each branch of government is equal in power  No branch can exercise a power granted to one of the other branches

Ideal #3 Checks and Balances If one branch doesn’t agree with another branch’s decision, it can take action against that decision.

What if umpires knew the rules but broke them for personal reasons?

What if umpires could make up their own rules during a game? Umpire: Foul Ball!

Batter: Not again, are you blind? That was totally a home run, and this time I have the official rules to prove it.

Umpire: The rules, hah! That doesn’t matter because it’s my call.

Batter: But you have to follow the rules, you can’t just make calls for other reasons.

Umpire: Well I have some pretty good reasons, in fact I have about 2,000 dollars that the visiting team gave me before the game.

Batter: How is that fair? You got paid by the other team to make that dumb call? No matter how I play, you’ll never let me score a run.

Ideal #3 Checks and Balances If one branch doesn’t agree with another branches decision, it can take action against that decision.

Ideal #4 Impartial Courts & Judges Impartiality is a judge’s ability to decide cases:  Only considering the law; (As an umpire would only consider the rules)  Not considering personal gain, prejudices, preferences, or beliefs; (As an umpire would not call in favor of their favorite team)  Without outside powers telling judges how to make decisions or run their courtrooms; (As fans and team managers can’t tell umpires how to make calls).

Courts Have the Power to Protect All Persons Equally Impartial judges administer the laws to all persons They are not influenced by public opinion. Examples - Racial prejudice Religious discrimination Impartial judges administer the laws to all persons They are not influenced by public opinion. Examples - Racial prejudice Religious discrimination

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)  According to the law, until 1954 white and black children had to attend separate schools  At that time most people were in favor of segregated schools  The US Supreme Court decided that separate schools were unequal by nature and therefore unconstitutional

Judges are unlike other government officials They have unique duties and rules to follow

Role of Judges:  Do not write the laws or express their personal preferences (Just as umpires don’t write the rule books)  Apply the laws, even if the public does not like the laws If a law is not good, it’s the legislature’s job to fix it

 You have the right to appeal your case to a higher court if you are unhappy with the ruling. (This can be compared to instant replay in a baseball game)  Judges can be disciplined if they do not do their jobs in the proper way. What To Do If You Disagree With a Judge’s Decision or Behavior?

Why is the Rule of Law So Important?

 How would you feel if a judge gave a ruling without listening to you?  Has anyone ever made a decision about you without listening to your side?  How did you feel and what did you want to do about it?

Legal Equality An impartial court allows all individuals equal and fair treatment under the law

What if you hit a home run, and it counts as a home run?

What if umpires could make up their own rules during a game? Umpire: Homerun!

Batter: How cool, that’s actually fair.

Umpire: Well duh. Look I’m not trying to be cool, I’m following the rules and being impartial.

Video credits: Fairplay.org Justiceatstake.org Youthforhumanrights.org Adapted with permission from the works of Superior Court of California County of Sacramento Communications & Community Outreach 2009