CHAPTER 1

Street Law

Ring Activity

What was easy about the game?What was difficult about the game?What was the purpose of this activity in

relation to Street Law?

Law

Rules and regulations made and enforced by government that regulate conduct within a society

Jurisprudence- the study of law and legal philosophy

Home, School, Outside WorldWithout law there would be confusion and

disorderNo one is above the law. (Laws are the same

for all.)

Problem 1.1

List 10 daily activities Next to each item, list a law that may affect

the activity Going to school – can’t drop out until 18

Would you change any of these laws? Why or why not?

Laws and Values

Laws are influenced by society’s ideas of right/wrong

Laws must balance minority rights with majority rule along with responsibilities

As values change, so do laws

Goals of Legal System

Protect human rights Promote fairnessHelp resolve conflictPromote social order and stabilityPromote desirable social and economic

behaviorRepresent the will of the majorityProtect the rights of minorities

Values Creating Laws

Moral Killing

Economic Tax benefits to home owners

Political Vote

Social Free public education

Combined Values Stealing (wrong, loss of property, punishment,

respect)

Can Laws Solve Social Problems?

AlcoholismDrug Abuse

Which Value is Involved?

Economic, Social, Political, or Moral?1. All drivers must stop at stop signs.2. It is a crime to cheat on your tax return.3. All citizens may vote at age eighteen. 4. Special government programs lend money

to minority-owned businesses at low interest rates.

5. Government officials may not accept gifts from people who want them to pass certain laws.

6. Possession of marijuana is a crime.

Answers

All drivers must stop at stop signs. S It is a crime to cheat on your tax return. EAll citizens may vote at age eighteen. PSpecial government programs lend money to

minority-owned businesses at low interest rates. E

Government officials may not accept gifts from people who want them to pass certain laws. M

Possession of marijuana is a crime. M

The Case of the Shipwrecked Sailors

Read the case on page 7Answer questions a-f and save to your shared

folder

Human Rights

Rights that belong to all people simply because they are human beings

Dignity and respectHomes, schools, workplaces

What human rights are important to you?

Problem 1.3 pg. 8Answer questions a-fDiscuss with class

What human rights are important to others?

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) Protects freedoms of speech, religion, press, and right

to participate in government Adequate food, education, housing, health care Job, safe working conditions, salary, own property

Countries use human rights when writing laws

Human Rights in USA pg. 10 Read and answer a-c Discuss with class

Balancing Rights with Responsibilities

With every right comes a responsibility Trial by jury- serve on a jury Democracy- vote Attend school- _________________________

Just because you have the right to do something does not mean that you should Freedom of speech- hateful/abusive words

Kinds of Laws

Criminal Law Public conduct in society Punished by prison, fine, supervision Felonies- punished by more than one year in prison

Murder, robbery Misdemeanor- punished by less than one year in

prison/fine Assault, theft

Civil Law Argument between two people Lawsuit for cash

Trial

Defendant- person accused of crimePlaintiff- person harmed by defendantProsecutor- lawyer helping plaintiffBeyond a reasonable doubt- every person on the

jury must be certain the defendant committed the crime One juror that believes the defendant is innocent will set the

defendant free Criminal Cases

Preponderance of evidence- the evidence shows the defendant PROBABLY committed the crime Civil Cases

Criminal or Civil Laws?

Problem 1.7 pg. 14Read and answer a-c

Our Constitutional Framework

Highest law in landLimited government

Checks and BalancesBill of Rights

First 10 AmendmentsSeparation of powers

3 branches: executive (President), legislative (Congress), judicial (Supreme Court)

Legislative Branch

Congress Two houses: Senate and House of Representatives Writes/Passes laws (Statutes) Laws must pass both houses Can override Presidential Veto with 2/3 vote

Executive Branch

Veto- cancel a law written by Congress

Judicial Branch

Judicial review- examines a law from Congress

Unconstitutional- violates the Constitution and cannot exist Congress does not have authority to pass law (State

issue) Federalism (State, Federal, Both Powers)

Congress passed a law that violates the Constitution

Constitutional Principles

Problem 1.9 pg. 18 Read and answer a-e

Chapter 1 Project

LawsHuman Rights Constitution

The Bill of Rights protects our freedoms as American citizens. Using your book pg. 424, list Amendments 1-10. Then explain what human right is being protected by each Amendment. Then examine each Amendment again. Are there any laws that limit these rights? Explain the law and why the limit exists.

Example Chapter 1 Project

1st Amendment: Freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, petition

Human rights- worship god of choice, make complaints in order to make change

Laws that limit those rights- no human sacrifices/abuse in the name of religion, cannot yell “Fire” in a movie theater, cannot print false statements about someone/business