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Law

Rules of conduct that state how people should or shouldn't behave in society to maintain stability, order, and justice under a controlling authority.

Business Law

Rules of conduct that dictate how to start, manage, buy, sell, or close any type of business.

Law vs. Ethics Rule

"The law sets a minimum standard of behavior while ethics sets maximum standards."

Ethics

Acting with integrity by being honest, professional, fair, communicating well, and making good decisions.

Personal Ethics

An individual's personal values, beliefs, conscience, or moral code of conduct in everyday life.

Professional Ethics

An individual's values, conduct, and acceptable behavior within the workplace representing their company.

Unethical Behavior

Lacking moral principles; includes lying, breaking commitments, deception, and ignoring rules (may or may not be illegal).

Illegal Conduct

Failing to follow the law; includes theft, harming others, vandalism, and harassment/discrimination.

United States Constitution

The ultimate and most fundamental source of law; a charter establishing the structure, powers, and rules of government to which all other laws must comply.

Statutory Law

Laws passed by legislative bodies (U.S. Congress for Federal statutes; state legislatures for State statutes).

Preemption

The principle that federal statutes supersede and override conflicting state statutes.

Administrative Regulations

Rules issued by government agencies that dictate how statutes are applied and enforced.

Enabling Act

A law passed by Congress that grants an administrative agency the authority to create and enforce regulations.

Informal Rulemaking

The most common agency rulemaking process, involving a proposed rule, public written comments, and a final rule decision.

Formal Rulemaking

Agency rulemaking governed by the Administrative Procedure Act requiring formal procedural steps where the proponent bears the burden of proof.

Case Law

Law established by judicial decisions made in individual court cases interpreting statutes and resolving disputes.

Stare Decisis

The legal doctrine requiring courts to follow rulings from prior cases (precedents) to ensure consistent, predictable legal decisions.

Criminal Law

System of laws defining crimes against society, brought by the prosecution, carrying penalties like fines, imprisonment, or jail time.

Civil Law

System of laws dealing with disputes and legal rights between private individuals or entities, typically resolved through financial compensation rather than jail time.

Prosecution

The government authority bringing criminal charges against an accused individual.

Plaintiff

The private party or individual who files a lawsuit against another party in a civil case.

Defendant

The person or entity accused of committing a crime (in criminal law) or causing harm/damage (in civil law).

Felony

The most serious class of crime, punishable by imprisonment for 1 year or more (e.g., murder, arson, burglary, kidnapping).

Misdemeanor

A mid-level criminal offense punishable by fines or local jail time of less than 1 year (e.g., drunk driving, vandalism, shoplifting).

Infraction

The least serious offense resulting in ticket fines rather than jail time (e.g., traffic violations, operating without a business license).

Tort Law

The branch of civil law governing civil wrongs that cause damage or injury to a person or property, establishing liability for compensation.