Lady Justice (Roman goddess Justitia) is a

personification of the moral force in judicial

systems.

1. Why do you think Lady Justice is blind folded?

2. Why do you think she is holding scales in her hand? What is she trying to keep in balance?

3. What do you think the significance of the sword is?

• Add to table of contents, then answer the questions on LS6:

• 2-22 Types of Laws Notes LS6

Types of Laws Notes

Why do we need laws?

I. Bring order into our lives and protect individual rightsII. Laws should always be reviewedIII. Citizens have the responsibility to follow laws.

Crime & Punishment

I. Crime – an act that breaks federal or state law and causesharm to people in our societyII. Penal Code – Establishes classifications for the seriousnessof crimes. (Misdemeanor v. Felony) A. Fines, Probation, and/or Imprisonment

4 Types of LawsI. Criminal – Behavior that is intended on deliberately harming a person or property (Ex: Stealing, Garfitti, etc.)II. Civil – Regulates non-criminal behavior (Ex: divorce laws)III. Public – Violations of Constitutional Rights or disputes involvinggovernment agencies. (Ex: Censoring newspapers)IV. International – Laws of relations between countries(Ex: Fishing regulations in International Waters)

LS6

Types of Law

Criminal

Civil

International

Public

Criminal Law

• Laws that seek to prevent people from harming each other or other’s property

• Adversary System – lawyers on opposing sides present cases; judge is impartial to be fair to both sides; Critics say lawyers ignore evidence; Supporters say brings out the facts of a case

• Plaintiff – the person bringing charges (usually the state gov’t)

• Defendant – the person being accused• Titled by the State vs. Someone• Felonies are more serious crimes – like murder• Misdemeanors – less serious crimes like vandalism

Civil Law

• Involve disputes between people when no criminal law has been broken

• Lawsuit – when a civil case goes to court in which someone sues another person; plaintiff is the person suing and the defendant is the person being sued

• The plaintiff claims that they have suffered some kind of loss because of the defendant

• Also covers torts – where you sue someone that injured you; ex: Publix has a wet floor and you slip and fall

• Family law – deals with family issues; ex: divorce, adoption

Public Law

• * Also Constitutional Law; involves our rights or disputes with the gov’t

• Administrative law – rules and regulations of gov’t agencies

• *Statutory law – written laws that regulate our behavior; ex: speed limits; labor laws

International Law

• Comprises treaties, customs, and agreements among nations

• Violations brought before the International Court of Justice (World Court) but has no power to enforce decisions must rely on the nations

• Ex: disputes over fishing rights when another nation fishes in another’s waters