1. Legal System

2. Evolution of Law in Western Society
Code of Hammurabi: 1st written form of law
Magna Carta- Gave certain rights to every freeborn Englishman
Ex: Right to trial by a jury

3. What is Law? Law: system of rules created by our goverenment
Rule of Law: everyone is subject to the law
Due Process of Law: everyone is treated equally under the law
Laws are enforced in the courts

4. Sources of Law Constitutional Statutory- Laws passed by Congress
Statutes
Regulations- A rule a government agency makes to enforce the law
Common law- Based off of customs and previous decisions

5. Types of Law
Civil Law- governs everyday relations between citizens (people)
Criminal Law- concerns the prosecution and punishment of individuals for crimes
Constitutional Law- consists of the Constitution itself and those federal laws that protect our rights under the Constitution
Military Law- consists of the special laws and procedures that apply to the armed forces
Juvenile Law- laws for individuals under the age of 18

6. The Organization of the Florida Court System
From Lowest to Highest:
County Courts: handle lesser crimes ( misdemeanors), small claims and civil cases less than $15,000; Trial Court
FL Circuit Courts: more serious crimes ( felonies), civil cases more than $15,000, and family law matters
FL District Courts of Appeal: Appellate Court; they review appeals from cases decided by the circuit courts.
FL Supreme Court: Reviews cases from both Florida’s circuit courts and the District Courts of Appeal. Generally an Appellate court, but has original jurisdiction in some cases. Habeas Corpus

7. The organization of the Federal Court System
From Lowest to Highest:
U.S. District Court: Trial Court: Has the power to hear civil and criminal cases involving federal laws. Only Fed. Court to have a jury.
U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals: Hears appeals from District Courts
U.S. Supreme Court: Hears cases of those who are not satisfied with a decision of a U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, or a state Supreme Court can petition the Supreme Court to hear a case. The Supreme Court has the power of Judicial Review. Habeas Corpus.

8. The Trial Process
1.Jury Selection: Jurors must be unbiased. The juror's’ role is to listen to evidence and determine the facts of the case.
2.Opening Statements: The purpose of opening statements is to tell jurors something about the case they will be hearing.
Plaintiff
Defendant
3.Testimony/ Evidence: Each lawyer gets to question each witness. Then the defendant can present their case.
Direct Examination
Cross Examination
Closing Arguments: each lawyer summarizes the evidence and tries to persuade the jury to believe their side

9. Continued
4.Jury Instructions: The judge provides directions to the jury
5.Jury Deliberations: The jury deliberates and reaches a verdict. When a jury has reached a verdict, the jurors sign a form and notify the bailiff

10. Landmark Cases
Bush v. Gore- The Supreme Court ruled that the Florida Supreme Court’s recount order was unconstitutional
U.S. v Nixon: Supreme Court limited executive privilege ( The president is subject to the rule of law)
Miranda v Arizona: Supreme Court upheld the 5th Amendment protection from self-incrimination
Plessy v Ferguson: “Separate but Equal” is constitutional and remains in effect until Brown v. Board of Education and the Civil Right Act 1964

11. Cases Continued.
Brown v. Board of Education: Segregation is not equal in public education; denies equal protection
Gideon v. Wainwright: States must pay for public defenders
Hazelwood v Kuhlmeier: does not protect all type of free speech in school.
In re Gault: Juvenile Court must comply with the 14th amendment
D.C. v. Heller: Supreme Court upheld that the 2nd amendment protects individual’s rights to own a firearm.