1. Unit 7: The American Legal System

2. Ch. 19 Quick Review Are laws truly necessary? Why?
Where do our laws come from?
Can you explain the difference between Criminal and Civil Law?

3. Chapter 20: Criminal and Juvenile Justice
*Chapter Focus: The problem of crime and how the criminal justice system deals with people accused of breaking the law.

4. Section 1: Crime in American Society
In recent times it was reported that over one-million violent crimes were committed in the United States during a one-year period.

5. Types of Crime Assault Battery Burglary Embezzlement Treason Terrorism
Placing someone in fear w/o actual physical contact
Battery
Harming someone using physical contact
Burglary
Illegally breaking into someone else’s property
Embezzlement
Stealing $$$ that has been entrusted to your care
Treason
Betraying your country and helping enemy forces
Terrorism
Using violence to get what you want from the govt. or society

6. Possible Causes of Crime
Poverty and Unemployment
More likely to break the law bc the system doesn’t seem to work for them.
Loss of Values (Sense of Right and Wrong)
Poor Parenting
Drug Use
Someone may steal to support a drug habit.
Mental Illness
Courts Going too Easy on Criminals
Not Enough $$$ = Not Enough Police
Violence in the Media (TV, Movies, Games, etc.)

7. Class Talk
What do you think is / are the main reason(s) for crime in American society? Why?

8. Section 2: The Criminal Justice System
When an adult is arrested, he / she goes through a process which includes
Arraignment: Court Hearing in which the defendant is charged and enters a plea.
Trial: Prosecution argues against the Defense on whether the defendant is guilty or not.
Sentencing: Defendant is found guilty and punished
Or Acquittal: Defendant is found not guilty and set free

9. Criminal Law: From Arrest to Conviction
1. Probable Cause or Warrant Issued.
2. Suspect Arrested and Read Miranda Rights.
3. Police Station.
4. Prosecutor Determines if Case is Strong Enough.
6. Judge or Grand Jury Decides if Evidence is Strong Enough.
5. Lawyer hired or appointed.
8. Defendant Enters Plea of Not Guilty
7. Bail is set.
9. Pretrial Motions.
12. Jury Returns Verdict of Guilty
10. Jury Selection
11. Trial
13. Judge Sentences the Defendant

10. Section 3: The Juvenile Justice System
Until about 100 years ago, children accused of crime in the US were treated like adults.
Then a group of reformers fought to create a separate justice system for juveniles (young people).

11. Juvenile Court Procedure
1. Arrest and Intake
Young person is arrested & taken to Juvenile Detention.
2. The Initial Hearing
Judge decides if there is enough evidence against the accused young person.
3. The Adjudicatory Hearing
Judge decides if the young person is guilty or not.
4. The Dispositional Hearing
Judge decides the sentence (Juvenile Home, Group Home, Probation, etc.).
5. Aftercare
Young person is assigned a parole officer.

12. Class Talk
How is the Juvenile Justice System for young people different than the Criminal Justice System for adults?

13. Ch. 20 Quick Review What might be a possible cause of crime?
Can you give a basic explanation of how our criminal justice system works?
Do you think our juvenile justice system is fair? Why?

14. Ch. 20 Assessment Page 558 Complete # 1 – 12; 17 Reviewing Key Terms
Write out the sentence with correct term underlined.
Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Activities
Write out the question and your response.
* Turn in for a grade when completed..