Chapter 7 Section 1: Equal Justice under the Law

What are the four sources of law in the U.S.?

Statutory law, common law, administrative law, and constitutional law

What are the types of laws that exist in the U.S.?

Statutory law, common law, administrative law, and constitutional law

Criminal Law

The body of law that regulates the conduct of individuals as members of the state

What does Equal Justice Under the Law mean?

all citizens are considered equal and are protected by the rule of law

Precedent

an earlier court decision that guides judges' decisions in later cases

Crime

any act that breaks the law and for which a punishment has been established

What are the basic categories of laws?

criminal law and civil law

Common Law

customary law that develops from judges' decisions and is followed in situations not covered by statutory law

Constitutional Law

law based on the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court decisions

In what ways is the U.S. a nation of laws?

laws are to protect people and that is why we have a nation go laws

Civil Law

the body of law that governs relationships among individuals and that defines people's legal rights

What roles do the courts play in the U.S.?

the court uses the four sources of laws to settle disputes

Appeal

the right of a convicted person to ask a higher court to review his or her case

What purposes do U.S. courts serve?

to settles disputes