1. Types of Law Chapter 15

2. Types of Law Common Law- law based on court decisions and past examples rather than legal code Common Law- law based on court decisions and past examples rather than legal code Precedent- legal opinions based on past examples and court rulings that become part of common law Precedent- legal opinions based on past examples and court rulings that become part of common law Statutory Law- laws written by the legislative branch which become part of legal code Statutory Law- laws written by the legislative branch which become part of legal code Administrative Law- laws written by the executive branch which become part of legal code Administrative Law- laws written by the executive branch which become part of legal code

3. Criminal Law Criminal Law Purpose- Settle disputes in which a crime has been committed Purpose- Settle disputes in which a crime has been committed Crime- act that breaks a law and causes harm to people or society Crime- act that breaks a law and causes harm to people or society Prosecutor- party bringing the charges against the accused (always the government) Prosecutor- party bringing the charges against the accused (always the government) Defendant- party accused of committing the crime Defendant- party accused of committing the crime Civil Law Civil Law Purpose- settle disputes in which a crime has NOT been committed Purpose- settle disputes in which a crime has NOT been committed Lawsuit- legal action when a party sues to collect damages ($) from harm that is done Lawsuit- legal action when a party sues to collect damages ($) from harm that is done Plaintiff- party suing Plaintiff- party suing Defendant- party being sued Defendant- party being sued