CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
LAWS AND VALUES
HUMAN RIGHTS
RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILIES
KINDS OF LAW
100
The US has a limited government. What does that mean?
Our government is limited by the people. The people decide how much power the government will have.
100
What do we call the rules and regulations which are made and enforced by government to oversee the conduct of its citizens?
Laws
100
How does someone obtain their human rights?
Human rights are something that your are born with. There are no other requirements to obtaining these rights.
100
What are rights vs. responsibilities?
Rights are your freedoms. Responsibilities are things you should do so that we can keep our rights in this country. Example: Trial by Jury / Serve on a Jury
100
What are the two kinds of laws?
Criminal and Civil
200
The separation of power divides our government into three branches. What are the branches and what do they do?
Legislative - Congress, Make laws (statutes) Executive - President, gives executive orders that have the force of the law Judicial - Courts, Clarify the Constitution, statutes, or executive orders.
200
What is the rule of law?
Rule of law is the idea that laws should be created ahead of time by a democratic system and they should be known to everyone.
200
What is the name of the document created by the United Nations that states human rights standards for government to follow?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
200
Name a law that makes you act responsibly?
Taxes, Road laws, Child Welfare, etc...
200
Which type of law regulates the public conduct and sets out duties owed to society? This is also the law that a case can only be brought by the government.
Criminal
300
How do checks and balances control power?
Checks and balances allow each branch to restrain the other branches of government. This prevents one branch from gaining all the power.
300
Name three of the goals of the legal system.
Pick any 3 Protect Human Rights Fairness Resolve Conflicts Appropriate Social/Economic Behavior Represent the majority Protect the rights of the minority
300
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights claims everyone has the right to what five freedoms?
Liberty Education Political Religious Economic Well Being
300
Give an example of a right that is morally wrong.
Freedom of speech is a right but you can be morally wrong if you say hateful things or lies about someone.
300
What are the two types of Criminal laws? What are the differences in each one.
Felony - serious crimes, 1yr. + in prison Misdemeanor - less serious, under 1yr. in prison
400
Judicial review is a process that allows the court to review laws and make them invalid if they go against what is written in the constitution. What do we call it when something goes against the constitutions?
Unconstitutional
400
What is the biggest problem that we face in the creation of laws?
The biggest problem is conflict among the legal system's goals.
400
Does everyone have to follow the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
The UDHR is a nonbinding document so not everyone must follow it.
400
Why is the US proud of its rights?
The US take pride in rights for groups that were previously excluded such as women, minorities, and those with disabilities.
400
What type of law regulates the relationships between individuals and groups. This sort of lawsuit is brought when someone feels injured or hurt by another person.
Civil
500
Why do we have amendments?
Amendments reflect what society is thinking. They help to keep our constitution current and up to date with society's views. This has made our constitution the longest written constitution in the world.
500
Laws are based on what four types of values?
Moral Values Economic Values Political Values Social Values
500
What US documents contain human rights?
Bill or Rights Constitution
500
As with all areas of law the most difficult thing with rights an responsibilities is...
to strike a balance!
500
Explain the difference between beyond a reasonable doubt and preponderance of the evidence.
Beyond a reasonable doubt means the jury can have no doubt if they are finding someone guilty. Preponderance of the evidence means that the jury must feel that it is more likely than not that the defendant committed the crime in order to find them guilty.