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