Studied by 65 people
Law
A rule that can affect any aspect of the lives of the people.
Social values
Values that affect laws that focus on society, like anti-discrimination or education laws. They promote justice, freedom, respect, community, and responsibility.
Basic human rights
Indisputable privileges that a person has because they are a human being. These include the right to life and freedom from slavery.
Separation of powers
The division of powers between multiple people or groups of people so one doesn’t become too powerful. We can see in the legislative, judicial, and executive branches in the United States government.
statutes
Written laws enacted by legislatures that can be looked up in databases or books. An example of this includes traffic violations and the minimum drinking age.
Moral values
Values behind laws that prevent actions that are morally wrong. For example, these are laws that prevent murder are moral laws.
Political values
Values that affect laws that benefit politics. An example of this is laws that prioritize the right to vote or that limit the campaign budget of those running for office.
Economic values
Values that affect laws that benefit the economy. An example of this are laws that affect the gaining and distributing wealth.
How can acts be legal but immoral?
Acts can be legal but immoral when they hurt people in a way that is emotional but not illegal. Some examples of this are cheating on your partner or breaking a promise. In some countries, it is immoral to drink or dance but it is not illegal.
How can acts be immoral but legal?
Acts can be illegal but moral when they don’t hurt or put anyone at risk but are illegal. An example of this could be a homeless person stealing necessities like baby formula or food.
Criminal cases
These cases require that there is beyond a reasonable doubt (>90% proof). This includes DNA, audio recordings, and video recordings. the evidence cannot be countered by the other side.
Civil cases
In these cases, you need at least preponderance of evidence (>50%), which requires the plaintiff to prove that it a crime is more likely than not.
US Constitution
The rights in this document protect the rights of the people in the United States
Universial Declaration of Human Rights
The rights in this document protect the basic human rights of people all over the world
Supremacy Clause
Says that the Constitution and federal laws are prioritized over any conflicting rules given by the state. An example of this is the legal drinking age.
Checks and Balances
A system where two or more groups check each other's actions to make sure that one group doesn't gain too much power
Federalism
The seperation of power between the states and federal government
contingency fee
A fee that is payable only if the outcome of a case is successful
Retainer
a fee charged to retain the services of a lawyer. It is noramally hourly
Criminal law
A system of laws that focuses on crimes and the punishments of people who commit crimes. An example of this is a law that sets the minimum number of years someone can be imprisoned for arson.
Code of Hammurabi
A collection of 282 laws that created legal standards and set punishments for if the laws were broken
Civil Action
A non-criminal lawsuit that enforces a right or undoes a wrong. An example of this would be a lawsuit for discrimination or medical malpractice.
Defendant
The person whom a legal claim is being made against
Plaintiff
a person who brings an action into a court of law
Preponderance of Evidence
The standard of proof used in a civil suit. It proves that something is more likely than not
Beyond a Reasonable Doubt
the level of proof that’s needed to convict someone of a criminal crime. There doesn’t need to be 100% certainty, but there can’t be reasonable doubt.
Prosecutor
A government official who represents the state and works to bring the defendant to justice.
judicial review
The process that courts use to decide whether a law passed by congress or the state legislature is constitutional or unconstitutional.
Absolute certainty
100% sure that a person committed a crime - it cannot be disproved.
Reasonable supicion
The "common-sense conclusion" that a crime is being committed. It is a hunch. If an officer has this, they may frisk or detain the suspect briefly. They are not able to search the person unless it occurs on school property.
Probable cause
This is one step above reasonable suspicion and it is when it is obvious a crime is being committed. This is enough for a search or arrest warrant, and even an arrest.
Basic principles of law
Everyone, including the government and government officials are accountable under the law.
Ten comandments/12 tables of Rome
Early examples of laws
Legal advertisements
Advertisements of legal services provided by a lawyer or law firm. They can be limited bt the state.
Civil law
A system of laws that focuses on the relationships between people and things.
Gideon v Wainwright
The significe of this case was the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution required states to provide defense attorneys to criminal defendants who could not provide a lawyer for themselves.
Legal malpractice
The term for negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, or breach of cotnract by a lawyer that causes harm to the client.
Due process of law
Fair treatment under the law to everyone
Binding
A legal agreement that cannot be broken
Bill of rights
The first 10 Amendments of the Constitution. They include the basic rights of the people, including freedom of speech, press, religion, assemply, and petition.
Ombudspersons
An official who investigates complaints against businesses, public entities, or government officials.
Informal talk
A conversation between two people that is casual and has no one else present. It is not legally binding.
Negotation
A more formal but not legally binding conversation between two parties.
Mediation
a negotiation to resolve an issue that includes an impartial third party
Abitration
A legally binding method for settling disputes that involves multiple additional parties creating a legal contract
Court action
A legally binding way of settling a dispute that requires going to court
Settlement
An agreement that ends a disupte
Note 
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