1. Bell Work – March 11, 2013
Rule of Law - Principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
Plaintiff - The person in a civil case who claims to have been harmed; person who files a lawsuit
Defendant - The person in a civil case who is said to have caused the harm; the person who is being sued
Tort - Wrongful act, other than breaking a contract, for which an injured party has the right to sue
Motivational Monday

2. Bell Work – March 12, 2013
Misdemeanor - The least serious type of crime; minor crime for which a person can be fined a small sum of money or jailed for up to one year
Felony - A type of crime more serious that a misdemeanor, such as murder, kidnapping or robbery
Civil Case - Court case in which one party in a dispute claims to have been harmed in some way by the other
Criminal Case - Court case in which someone has broken the law

3. “Legal Rights & Responsibilities”

4. Types of Laws
There are two (2) types of law that affect Americans directly today that help maintain a peaceful and orderly society:
“Criminal” Law
“Civil” Law

5. “Criminal” Law
“Criminal” laws are laws that seek to prevent people from deliberately or recklessly harming each other or each other’s property.

6. Our Court System
American courts operate on an “adversary” system of justice, meaning the courtroom serves as an “arena” in which lawyers for opposing sides try to present their strongest case.

7. “Criminal” Law
In criminal cases, the government is always the “plaintiff”, or the party that brings the charges against the alleged criminal.
The individual or group being sued is the “defendant”.

8. “Criminal” Law There are two (2) types of crimes: “Felonies”
“Misdemeanors”

9. Felony Crimes
“Felony” crimes are the most serious crimes with the most serious consequences (murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, etc.)

10. Misdemeanor Crimes
“Misdemeanor” crimes are less serious and often do not have very serious consequences (vandalism, theft, traffic violations, etc.)

11. Criminal Process
Once an arrest has been made by law enforcement, the suspect will be informed of his/her rights.
This is a result of the 1966 Supreme Court case “Miranda v. Arizona”…

12. Criminal Process
Suspects then appear before the court in a “hearing” to hear the charges against them and listen to the judge’s decision on the next step.

13. Criminal Process
At an “arraignment”, suspects formally hear the charges and are asked to enter a “plea”.
They will enter “guilty”, “not guilty”, or “no contest”…

14. Criminal Process During their criminal trial, there are four steps:
1. Opening Statements
2. Testimony of Witnesses
3. Closing Statements
4. Verdict (Outcome)

15. Step #1: Opening Statements
The first step of a criminal trial is allowing both the prosecution (State) and the defense (the accused) make an opening statement to the judge and jury.
This is where the jury gets the “basics” about the case and learns about the facts they need to listen for.

16. Step #2: Testimony of Witnesses
The Prosecution and Defense will call witnesses to give their testimony (or give answers under oath) in the case.
These witnesses will also be “cross examined” by the other side.

17. Step #3: Closing Statements
Near the end of the trial, the prosecution and the defense give their closing statements which summarize the arguments made, the testimony given and is the final opportunity for the attorneys to request a favorable outcome from the jury.

18. Step #4: Verdict
After the closing statements have been given, the jury will leave to deliberate, or discuss and review the evidence and facts that was presented.
Once their reach a unanimous decision, the jury will return to court and read their verdict (official outcome) to court.

19. Criminal Process
Defendants are either found “guilty”, are “acquitted” (found “not guilty”), or the judge can declare a “hung jury” (a “mistrial” is declared by the judge)

20. Criminal Penalties Criminal penalties are designed to:
Provide punishment so the criminal pays for the crime against a victim or society

21. Criminal Penalties Criminal penalties are designed to:
Remove prisoners so they are not a threat to society

22. Criminal Penalties Criminal penalties are designed to:
Deter criminals from committing repeated crimes

23. Criminal Penalties Criminal penalties are designed to:
“Rehabilitate” criminals so they can reenter society and become productive members

24. “Civil” Law
“Civil” laws are for disputes between people or groups of people in which no criminal laws have been broken.
Since there is no threat to society, the state does not take action.
In other words, civil disputes are disagreements over non-criminal matters.

25. “Civil” Law
When a civil case goes to court, it is called a “lawsuit”, which is a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect “damages” (an award of money) for some harm that is done.

26. “Civil” Law
As in a criminal case, a “plaintiff” is the individual or group that files the lawsuit.
Also, the “defendant” is the individual or group that is being sued.

27. “Civil” Law
A case begins when a “complaint” is filed (a formal statement naming those involved and describing the nature of the lawsuit)
Once filed, a “summons” (a document notifying the defendant of the lawsuit against them and an order a to appear) is sent by the court.

28. “Civil” Law
A defendant may respond to the suit in a “pleading” (complaint and answer together).
“Discovery” is the name of the process in which lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant check facts and gather evidence for the case

29. “Civil” Law
In an “equity” lawsuit, issues are resolved by a judge based on the grounds of fairness.
Judges often issue an “injunction” (or a court order commanding a person or group to stop a certain action)

30. Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution
Rulings in court cases are decided by written laws and precedents of earlier cases.
“Stare decisis” means “let the decision stand”, or the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases.

31. Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution
“Writ of habeas corpus” is a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

32. Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution
“Bills of attainder” are laws that punish a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court.

33. Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution
“Ex post facto laws” are laws that allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed..

34. Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution
“Due process” is the legal procedures established when dealing with the accused.

35. Amendment Protection
Several of the amendments of the Constitution help protect the rights of the “accused”:
Fourth
Fifth
Sixth
Eighth

36. “Fourth Amendment”
This amendment protects citizens from “unreasonable searches and seizures”
Law enforcement must obtain a “search warrant” (signed by a judge) specifying the exact place to be searched and what objects may be seized. Law Enforcement must have probable cause!

37. “Fifth Amendment” This amendment protects the rights of the accused:
No self incrimination
Right of due process
No “double jeopardy” (accused of the same crime more than once)
Right to a “grand jury” (where a group of citizens determine if there is enough evidence to continue)

38. “Sixth Amendment”
This amendment protects the rights of the accused by granting counsel (or a lawyer)
If the accused can not afford one, the state must provide one.

39. “Eighth Amendment”
This amendment protects the rights of the accused by forbidding “cruel and unusual punishments” or “excessive bail”
“Bail” is a sum of money paid to court to win release while waiting for their trial.

40. Young People & the Courts
Citizens under a certain age are considered “juveniles” (18 in most states)
Those who commit crimes against society are considered to be “juvenile delinquents” (not old enough for adult courts)

41. Young People & the Courts
Most crimes committed by juveniles are “misdemeanors” (less serious)
However, juveniles do commit “felonies” (more serious).

42. Young People & the Courts
The primary goal of the juvenile court is to “rehabilitate” the juvenile (or correct the behavior) rather than to punish.
These courts basically handle “neglect” and “delinquency” cases

43. Young People & the Courts
Many police departments have officers who try and “divert” (or steer away from the court system) these juveniles.

44. Young People & the Courts
While court trials for juveniles are similar to adults, they do NOT have the right to a jury trial.
The judge makes the decision.

45. Young People & the Courts
The rights of juveniles were established in the 1967 “In re Gault” Supreme Court case (right to counsel, remain silent, confront witnesses etc.)

46. Young People & the Courts
Unlike adult trials, the identity of juveniles is kept secret and the criminal records of these juveniles can be erased when they reach adulthood.