Introduction to Law

These flashcards cover key concepts, definitions, and principles discussed in the introductory chapter of the law lecture.

The concept of __ underlines that parties involved in disputes must present their case based on previous rulings.

precedent.

The primary source of law in the United States comes from __.

the U.S. Constitution.

The three branches of the U.S. government are Legislative, Executive, and __.

Judicial.

Statutes are laws passed by __.

Congress or state legislatures.

Legal principles must align with the concept of __, which posits that law must have a moral basis.

Natural Law.

A governing authority must operate within the limits set by the __.

Federal Constitution.

In criminal law, the government prosecutes wrongdoers, while in civil law, disputes involve __.

private parties.

The idea of __ makes the law predictable, enabling citizens and businesses to plan accordingly.

stare decisis.

When Congress passes laws, they must do so within the framework of the __ to be valid.

Constitution.

A veto from the President can be overridden by a __ majority in both houses of Congress.

two-thirds.

According to legal realism, the enforcement of law depends heavily on __.

who is interpreting it.

The __ Amendment guarantees our basic liberties such as free speech and free exercise of religion.

First.

The principle of __ suggests that courts should follow lower courts' interpretations of law unless changed by higher courts.

precedent.

The judicial branch has the power to __ laws passed by Congress if found unconstitutional.

strike down.

English roots of law developed from a __ system under the rule of William the Conqueror after 1066.

feudal.

Collective responsibility in business partnerships originates from the concept of the __ in Anglo-Saxon law.

tithing.

Henry de Bracton's legal treatise helped establish the doctrine of __.

precedent.

Legal positivism asserts that the law is defined by the __, regardless of its moral implications.

sovereign.