17.1 notes

Year 7 HaSS Civics & Citizenship: Australia’s Legal System

Overview

• This study material is aligned with OBI Text Chapter 17.1

• Created January 2026

Learning Intentions & Success Criteria

Learning Intentions

• Understand the main bodies that create and enforce laws in Australia’s legal system.

• Outline the key participants in Australia’s legal system.

• Explain the concepts of fairness and justice in Western Australia.

Success Criteria

• I can:

  • Identify who makes, enforces, and applies the law.

  • Describe the roles of courts and police.

  • Explain how laws aim to be fair and just.

  • Use correct legal terminology in my answers.

What Are Laws?

• Definition of Laws:

  • Laws are rules made by governments.

  • They help people live peacefully together.

  • Protect rights and set responsibilities.

  • If laws are broken, punishments may apply.

Who Makes Laws in Australia?

• Australia has three levels of government:

  • Federal Government:

  • Makes laws for the whole country.

  • State Government:

  • Makes laws for each state (e.g., WA Criminal Code).

  • Local Government:

  • Creates by-laws (e.g., regarding parking, dogs, noise).

Why Do We Need Laws?

• Laws help to:

  • Protect people from harm.

  • Keep communities safe.

  • Ensure everyone is treated fairly.

  • Resolve disputes peacefully.

Australia’s Legal System

• The legal system, also known as the justice system, includes:

  • Parliament: Makes laws.

  • Courts: Interpret and apply laws.

  • Police: Enforce laws.

• Purpose of the Legal System:

  • Ensure laws are followed.

  • Provide fairness and justice.

Rights and Responsibilities

• Rights:

  • What we are entitled to (e.g., fair treatment).

• Responsibilities:

  • Duties we must adhere to (e.g., obeying the law).

• Laws:

  • Protect rights.

  • Require responsible action.

The Role of the Courts

• Functions of Courts:

  • Resolve disputes.

  • Decide guilt or innocence.

  • Apply punishments for broken laws.

  • Aim to treat everyone fairly.

Key Court Terms

• Prosecutor:

  • Brings the case on behalf of the state.

• Defendant:

  • The person accused of a crime.

• Guilty:

  • Responsible for breaking the law.

• Not Guilty:

  • Not responsible for breaking the law.

Court Hierarchy in Western Australia

• Hierarchy Order (from lowest to highest):

  • Magistrates Court:

  • Lowest and busiest court.

  • Deals with minor criminal offenses and hears small civil disputes.

  • Examples: Vandalism, small fines, minor assaults.

  • District Court:

  • Middle court in the hierarchy.

  • Deals with serious criminal cases.

  • Examples: Theft, assault, fraud, large fraud cases, serious assaults.

  • Supreme Court:

  • Highest court in WA.

  • Hears the most serious criminal cases and major civil disputes.

  • Hears appeals from lower courts.

  • Examples: Murder, large defamation cases.

The Role of Police

• Functions of Police:

  • Enforce the law.

  • Prevent and investigate crime.

  • Arrest individuals suspected of breaking laws.

  • Bring offenders before the courts.

WA Police

• Established: 1853.

• Largest police jurisdiction in the world.

• More than 150 police stations across Western Australia.

• Responsible for maintaining safety across the entire state.

Specialist Police Units

• Examples of specialist police units include:

  • Water Police

  • Canine Section

  • Mounted Police

  • Police Air Wing

• Purpose of Specialist Units:

  • Each unit has a specific role in helping to keep the community safe.

Why Police Are Important

• Functions of Police Include:

  • Keeping communities safe.

  • Ensuring laws are obeyed.

  • Supporting fairness and justice.

  • Protecting citizens’ rights.

Lesson Summary

• Key Learnings from the lesson:

  • What laws are and why we need them.

  • Who makes, enforces, and applies laws.

  • The roles of courts and police in WA.

  • How the legal system aims to be fair and just.

Key Terms & Definitions

• Law: A rule made by a government that helps people live together peacefully and safely.

• Legal System (Justice System): A system comprising parliament, courts, and police that makes, applies, and enforces laws to ensure fairness and justice.

• Parliament: The law-making body of government that creates laws for Australia or for a state or territory.

• Court: A place where disputes are resolved and where individuals accused of breaking the law are judged fairly.

• Judiciary: The branch of government that interprets and applies the law through the court system.

• Prosecutor: The person or lawyer who brings a criminal case to court on behalf of the state.

• Defendant: The person accused of committing a crime.

Additional Key Terms & Definitions

• Criminal Law: Laws that deal with offences against society and establish punishments for breaking those laws.

• Criminal Code (WA): The main law in Western Australia listing criminal offences and applicable penalties.

• Penalty: Punishment given to a person found guilty of breaking the law.

• Fairness: Treating people equally and providing everyone a fair chance under the law.

• Justice: The concept that individuals are treated fairly and that wrongdoing is addressed appropriately.

• Rights: Freedoms and protections that citizens are entitled to under the law.

• Responsibilities: Duties that citizens must follow, such as obeying laws and respecting court decisions.

Review Questions

Check Your Learning – 17.1

• What are laws?

• Who enforces and applies the law in Western Australia?

• List the Magistrates, District, and Supreme Courts in order from lowest to highest.

• Explain why police are important in the legal system.

Apply and Analyse

• Identify actions that are criminal offences under WA law.

• Explain why judges may not always impose the maximum penalty.

• Discuss how courts help ensure fairness.

Evaluate and Create

• Choose ONE Specialist Police Unit:

  • Describe its role.

  • Explain its importance.

  • Present information as an infographic (using a FREE CANVA template).