1. Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
American Civics
5/19/2019
Chapter 7 The Judicial Branch
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Section 2: The Federal Court System
Section 3: The Supreme Court
Chapter 7

2. The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
The Main Idea
The rights of all U.S. citizens are protected by laws and the courts.
Reading Focus
In what ways is the United States a nation of laws?
What are the four sources of law in the United States?
What roles do the courts play in the United States?

3. A Nation of Laws Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Laws usually reflect the opinion of the majority.
Laws are passed for the good of all citizens.
Good citizenship involves abiding by the laws.
Without laws, anarchy could develop.

4. Two Basic Categories of Laws
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Two Basic Categories of Laws
Criminal Law refers to the group of laws that define what acts are crimes.
Criminal laws are intended to protect society as a whole
Laws against assault, murder, and rape help protect against personal harm.
Laws against stealing help protect your property

5. Two Basic Categories of Laws:
Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Two Basic Categories of Laws:
Civil Law is the group of laws that refer to disputes between people.
Used to settle a wide ranged of personal issues, such as contract disputes, divorce proceedings, and property boundaries
Crime – any behavior that is illegal because society considers the behavior harmful to society

6. Section 1: Equal Justice under the Law
Think about it…
What freedoms do we enjoy as active American citizens?
How does a nation’s laws protect these freedoms?
How does a nation’s laws limit these freedom?

7. Four types of U.S. laws: Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Statutory law—passed by lawmaking bodies
Also known as stuatues
Passed by Congress: Federal, State, and Local
Can be Criminal or Civil Law
Usually represents what the majority of the citizens want
Can be adapt to meet the courty’s needs

8. Four types of U.S. laws: Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Common Law: a type of law that comes from judges’ decisions based on common sense, experience, and practice
Precedent: An earlier court decision that guides judges’ decisions in later cases

9. Four types of U.S. laws: Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Administrative law—created by government agencies
Example: the Consumer Product Safety Commision (CPSC) uses administrative law when it rules that a particular toy is unsafe and must be taken off the market
Constitutional law—based on the Constitution and its interpretation by the Supreme Court

10. Think about it… Section 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
List and describe the sources of law that exist in the United States.

11. Role of the Courts in the United States
Sectiocn 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Role of the Courts in the United States
Courts use the four sources of law to settle disputes
Assure equal justice for all through fair trials
Right of the Accused (Bill of Rights)
Gideon vs. Wainwright (1963): states are required to provide free legal aid to those defendants who cannot afford to pay for a lawyer
Appeal: The right of a convicted person to ask a higher court to review his or her case.

12. Think about it… Sectiocn 1: Equal Justice Under the Law
Why do you think the accused is considered innocent until proved guilty?

13. provide fair public trials ensure equal justice for all
SECTION 1
Question: What roles do the courts play in the United States?
The Roles that Courts Play
provide fair public trials
ensure equal justice for all