chapter 12 workplace legal matterssucceeding in the world of work you and the legal system 12.2...

Chapter 12 • Workplace Legal Matters Succeeding in the World of Work

You and the Legal SystemYou and the Legal System12.2

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Section 12.2Section 12.2You and the Legal SystemYou and the Legal System



WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

The difference between civil and The difference between civil and criminal lawcriminal law

How civil law cases are resolvedHow civil law cases are resolved

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WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

The different legal services that The different legal services that can be used to settle disputes can be used to settle disputes



An understanding of the law and An understanding of the law and how it affects you is necessary for how it affects you is necessary for dealing with job-related conflicts.dealing with job-related conflicts.

WHY IT’S IMPORTANT



civil lawcivil lawsummonssummonscriminal lawcriminal lawfelonyfelonymisdemeanormisdemeanorcontingency fee contingency fee

KEY TERMS



Civil lawCivil law applies to conflicts between applies to conflicts between private parties over rights and private parties over rights and obligations.obligations.

Divorce, custody battles, and personal Divorce, custody battles, and personal injuries fall into this category.injuries fall into this category.

The Legal BattlefieldThe Legal Battlefield The Legal BattlefieldThe Legal Battlefield



Companies may also become involved Companies may also become involved in civil law cases.in civil law cases.

A company can be found liable for A company can be found liable for personal injury, illegal dismissal, or personal injury, illegal dismissal, or sexual harassment, for example.sexual harassment, for example.




A A summonssummons is an order to appear in is an order to appear in court.court.




A A settlementsettlement is a mutual agreement that is a mutual agreement that does not state that either party was does not state that either party was wrong.wrong.

A settlement often takes the form of a A settlement often takes the form of a cash reward or a correction of the cash reward or a correction of the situation that caused the complaint.situation that caused the complaint.




Many states require workers to file a Many states require workers to file a formal complaint with the Equal formal complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or Employment Opportunity Commission or a similar agency.a similar agency.

Sometimes, an agency can settleSometimes, an agency can settlea dispute.a dispute.




Mediation is a process in which you and Mediation is a process in which you and your opponent present the case to a your opponent present the case to a neutral third person, a mediator.neutral third person, a mediator.

The mediator helps you reach a The mediator helps you reach a compromise.compromise.




ETHICS in Action

Changing MindsChanging MindsYour neighbor went on vacation for a month Your neighbor went on vacation for a month and asked that you mow the lawn each week and asked that you mow the lawn each week while he was away. You both agreed on a while he was away. You both agreed on a price for your labor. When your neighbor price for your labor. When your neighbor returned, he told you he was going to give returned, he told you he was going to give you only half as much because he thought you only half as much because he thought that the original price was too high.that the original price was too high. continued



ETHICS in Action

Changing MindsChanging Minds

THINK ABOUT ITTHINK ABOUT ITHow do you respond to your neighbor? Will How do you respond to your neighbor? Will you get a third party involved?you get a third party involved?



Criminal lawCriminal law is the type of law that is the type of law that covers crimes.covers crimes.

Under criminal law, the government Under criminal law, the government brings an brings an indictmentindictment, or list of criminal , or list of criminal charges, against a person or charges, against a person or organization.organization.




A A felonyfelony is a serious crime, such as is a serious crime, such as murder or rape.murder or rape.

A A misdemeanormisdemeanor is a less serious crime, is a less serious crime, such as shoplifting.such as shoplifting.




Lawyers either charge an hourly rate or Lawyers either charge an hourly rate or set a flat fee based on how much work set a flat fee based on how much work they expect to do for you.they expect to do for you.

Lawyers’ FeesLawyers’ FeesLawyers’ FeesLawyers’ Fees



A A ccontingency feeontingency fee is a lawyer’s fee is a lawyer’s fee based on a percentage of the amount of based on a percentage of the amount of money that a client wins in a court case.money that a client wins in a court case.

Make sure you understand the fee Make sure you understand the fee system and projected costs before you system and projected costs before you agree to anything. agree to anything.




Low-cost legal assistance in civil cases Low-cost legal assistance in civil cases is available from the Legal Aid Society.is available from the Legal Aid Society.

If you are charged in a criminal case, If you are charged in a criminal case, the office of the public defender provides the office of the public defender provides free legal representation.free legal representation.




Do not expect lawyers to do all the work.Do not expect lawyers to do all the work.

You must be prepared for meetings with You must be prepared for meetings with documents, records, and names of documents, records, and names of witnesses.witnesses.




Key Concept CheckpointKey Concept CheckpointComprehensionComprehension

1.1. Describe a workplace situation that Describe a workplace situation that could lead to a civil case and one that could lead to a civil case and one that could lead to a criminal case.could lead to a criminal case.

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SECTION 12.2 REVIEWSECTION 12.2 REVIEW



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chapter 12 workplace legal matterssucceeding in the world of work you and the legal system 12.2...

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