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Legislative Branch

Makes laws.

Executive Branch

Carries out laws.

Judicial Branch

Evaluates laws.

U.S

Nominated by the president and confirmed by the senate.

Courts Making Laws

Through rulings on cases, creating case law based on precedent.

Ethics and Laws Relationship

Both involve rules distinguishing right from wrong.

Duties in State and Local Governments

Determined by state and local governments themselves.

Main Sources of Law

Constitutional Law, Statutory Law, Common Law, Administrative Law, Court Decisions.

19th Amendment

Grants women the right to vote.

Treaty Compliance

U.S. citizens are required to follow treaties signed by the United States.

Civil Law Involvement

Usually does not involve the government; typically "Person vs. Person" or "Person vs. Business."

Civil vs

Criminal trials begin with arrest; civil trials begin with pre-trial hearings.

Common Law

Laws created over time through customs and court judgments.

Precedent Definition

A court decision serving as authority for future similar cases; example:Brown v. Board of Education.

Criminal vs

Criminal procedures must be followed exactly; civil procedures involve disputes between individuals/businesses.

Juvenile Court Differences

No right to a jury or attorney; no right to trial or bail.

Civil Case Appeal

Allowed only if the court made a mistake.

State Supreme Court Appeals

Can be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Statutory Laws Passage

Passed by Congress and signed by the president for federal laws; passed by state legislatures and signed by governors for state laws.

Substantive vs

Substantive law defines what the law is; procedural law explains how the law works.

Appellate Court

Reviews cases from lower courts.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

A substitute for lawsuits, resolving disagreements outside the court system.

Constitution

A formal document outlining the main ideas and laws of the land.

General Trial Courts

State courts handling criminal and civil cases in each county.

Jurisdiction

The power of a court to hear a case and make a judgment.

Administrative Law

Laws created by government agencies, such as regulations by the Federal Trade Commission.