Street Law Chapter 1 - What Is Law?
Civil Lawsuit
A lawsuit between two or more people over non-criminal activities such as breach of contract. Can be brought against a person by someone who feels wronged or injured by that person.
Criminal Lawsuit
A lawsuit brought by the government against a person charged with committing a crime
Felony
A serious crime for which penalties are generally higher. (Examples: Arson, murder.)
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Adopted in 1948 under Elanor Rooseveltm a statement of human rights agreed to by almost every country
Prohibition
Became law in 1919 but was repealed four years later because the activity actually increased and the law was not enforced
Federalism
Division of power between the national and state governments
Gender Equity
Giving equal rights and benefits to all genders
Limited Government
Has its powers restricted by the federal government
reasonable doubt
If the jury is not sure beyond any __________ _____ that the defendant is guilty they must vote not to convict him or her.
Unconstitutional
In violation with the provisions of the US Constitution
Checks and Balances
Keep any one branch or person or group of people from becoming too powerful
rights, responsibilities, majority, minority
Laws must balance ______ with ________________, and the will of the ________ with the rights of the ________.
Perjury
Lying under oath
Defendant
Person accused of a crime
Misdemeanor
Petty crime. (Examples: Shoplifting, streaking.)
Reserved Powers
Powers given to the state government alone
Covenent of economic, social, and cultural rights
Rights to a job, adequate working conditions and salary, and to own private property
Law
Rules and regulations made and enforced by the government that control the conduct of people within a society
Affirmitive Action
Steps taken by an organization to remedy past discrimination in hiring, paying, promoting, and educating, by recruiting minorities and women
Separation of Powers
The division of our government into three branches
Bill of Rights
The first ten Ammendments to the Constitution, dealing with human rights.
Prosecutor
The government attorney in a criminal case
Executive Branch
The law-enforcing branch
Judicial Branch
The law-interpreting branch
Legislative Branch
The law-making branch
Preponderance of Evidence
The lowest requirement of proof that the jury is certain of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
Genocide
The mass killing of a race
Plaintiff
The person or company allegedly harmed by the defendant
Judicial Review
The power of the court to declare laws unconstitutional
Veto
The president has the right to ____ any bill that he does not want to see passed. It takes 2/3 vote in Congress to overrie this.
Human Rights
The rights all people have just because they are humans. They give dignity and respect to all.
Jurisprudence
The study of law and legal philosophy
False (It may be wrong to lie to your friend, but it isn't illegal.)
True or False: Everything immoral is illegal.
True
True or False: Laws can be based on moral, economic, political, or social values.
Moral Values
Values that deal with fundamental questions of right and wrong. (Example: Murder vs Self-Defense)
Social Values
Values that deal with issues that are important to society. (These frequently change. Example: All students must be provided with free public education through high school. Once upon a time, many kids didn't even go to school.)
Economic Values
Values that deal with the use and distribution of wealth. (Example: Tax benefits for those who take out loans for a home.)
Political Values
Values that reflect the relationship between the government and individuals. (Example: Laws make it easy to vote and promote citizen participation.)
human rights, conflict, fairness
We expect our legal system to protect basic _____ ______, resolve _______s, and promote ________.
Watergate
When Nixon's men steal tapes containing information about other presidential candidates from Watergate tower. He was not empeached but rather he resigned.
