1. What is Law

2. Jurisprudence
The Study of law and legal philosophy

3. Laws and Values Law generally reflect and promote a society’s values
Our legal system is influenced by what society considers to be right and wrong
However everything that is immoral is not criminal

4. Goals of our Criminal Justice System
Protecting basic human rights
Promoting fairness
Help to resolve conflicts
Promote order and stability
Promoting desirable social and economic behavior representing the majority
Protecting the rights of the minority

5. Laws and Values Continued
Laws can be based on moral, economical, political or social values
As values change, laws change
Many laws may combine moral, economical, political, and social values
Example: Laws against theft

6. Human Rights
Rights that all people have because they are human beings.
Both government as well as private citizens can violate human rights
Human rights are observed by almost every country in the world.
UDHR: Universal Declaration of Human Rights

7. Balancing Rights with Responsibilities
With every right there is a responsibility
Tried by a Jury of peers = Serve on Juries
Governed by elected officials = Vote
Have children = Provide for children
Drive vehicles = Obey traffic laws
Freedom of speech = Refrain from hateful and destructive comments
Police protection = Pay taxes
Etc… (Have students list 5 rights/privileges that they have along with the responsibilities)

8. Kinds of Laws Criminal Law :
Regulate public conduct and set out duties owed by society
A criminal case is a legal action that can only be brought on by the government against a person charged with committing a crime
The person accused of the crime is called the defendant
Criminal laws have penalties and offenders are imprisoned, fined, placed under supervision or punished in some other way.
Felony: Penalty is a term of more than one year in prison
Misdemeanor: Penalty is a term of less than one year in prison

9. Civil Law: Regulate relations between individuals and groups of individuals in society
A civil case is brought by the plaintiff
Civil Action: A law suit that can be brought on by an individual who feels wronged or injured by another
Class action: A law suit brought on by a group of people who feel to be wronged by a private corporation or government entity

10. Burden of Proof
In a criminal case, the burned of proof lie with the prosecutor
The prosecutor must prove their case beyond a reasonable doubt
The jury must be 99% convinced that the defendant committed the crime
OJ Sampson was acquitted
In a civil case, the plaintiff wins by convincing the jury by a preponderance of evidence
The jury must be 51% convinced that the defendant is at fault
OJ Sampson was found at fault in civil case and ordered to pay damages

11. Constitutional Framework
The US Constitution is the highest law of the land
It sets forth the basic framework of government
It list the government’s powers and limits on those powers
It list freedoms that cannot be taken away by government

12. Limited Government Separation of Powers
The national government has limited powers
The national government has authority to pass laws only in areas specifically listed in Article I of the constitution
Separation of Powers
Checks and balances

13. Checks and Balance The Legislative Branch The Judicial Branch
Makes and passes Laws
Impeach the president
Vote for Supreme Court Justices
The Judicial Branch
Clarifies Laws based on interpretation of the US Constitution
Judicial review
The Executive Branch
Sign Laws into action
Veto a bill
Nominate Justices

14. Federal v. State Rights Federalism Bill of Rights
The division of power between the States and the Federal government
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the US Constitution

15. The End