Chapter Fifteen & Sixteen

Chapter Fifteen & SixteenChapter Fifteen & Sixteen

““Legal Rights & Responsibilities”Legal Rights & Responsibilities”

Types of Laws

There are two (2) types of law that affect Americans directly today that help maintain a peaceful and orderly society:– “Criminal” Law– “Civil” Law

“Criminal” Law

“Criminal” laws are laws that seek to prevent people from deliberately or recklessly harming each other or each other’s property.

Our Court System

American courts operate on an “adversary” system of justice, meaning the courtroom serves as an “arena” in which lawyers for opposing sides try to present their strongest case.

“Criminal” Law

In criminal cases, the government is always the “plaintiff”, or the party that brings the charges against the alleged criminal.

The individual or group being sued is the “defendant”.

“Criminal” Law

There are two (2) types of crimes:– “Felonies”– “Misdemeanors”

Felony Crimes“Felony” crimes are the most serious

crimes with the most serious consequences (murder, rape, kidnapping, robbery, etc.)

Misdemeanor Crimes“Misdemeanor” crimes are less serious

and often do not have very serious consequences (vandalism, theft, traffic violations, etc.)

Criminal Process

Once an arrest has been made by law enforcement, the suspect will be informed of his/her rights.

This is a result of the 1966 Supreme Court case “Miranda v. Arizona”…

Criminal Process

Suspects then appear before the court in a “hearing” to hear the charges against them and listen to the judge’s decision on the next step.

Criminal Process

At an “arraignment”, suspects formally hear the charges and are asked to enter a “plea”.

They will enter “guilty”, “not guilty”, or “no contest”…

Criminal Process During their criminal

trial, there are four steps:

1. Opening Statements 2. Testimony of

Witnesses 3. Closing Statements 4. Verdict (Outcome)

Step #1: Opening Statements The first step of a criminal

trial is allowing both the prosecution (State) and the defense (the accused) make an opening statement to the judge and jury.

This is where the jury gets the “basics” about the case and learns about the facts they need to listen for.

Step #2: Testimony of Witnesses

The Prosecution and Defense will call witnesses to give their testimony (or give answers under oath) in the case.

These witnesses will also be “cross examined” by the other side.

Step #3: Closing Statements Near the end of the trial,

the prosecution and the defense give their closing statements which summarize the arguments made, the testimony given and is the final opportunity for the attorneys to request a favorable outcome from the jury.

Step #4: Verdict After the closing statements

have been given, the jury will leave to deliberate, or discuss and review the evidence and facts that was presented.

Once their reach a unanimous decision, the jury will return to court and read their verdict (official outcome) to court.

Criminal Process

Defendants are either found “guilty”, are “acquitted” (found “not guilty”), or the judge can declare a “hung jury” (a “mistrial” is declared by the judge)

Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties are designed to:– Provide

punishment so the criminal pays for the crime against a victim or society

Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties are designed to:– Remove prisoners

so they are not a threat to society

Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties are designed to:– Deter criminals

from committing repeated crimes

Criminal Penalties

Criminal penalties are designed to:– “Rehabilitate”

criminals so they can reenter society and become productive members

“Civil” Law “Civil” laws are for

disputes between people or groups of people in which no criminal laws have been broken.

Since there is no threat to society, the state does not take action.

In other words, civil disputes are disagreements over non-criminal matters.

“Civil” Law

When a civil case goes to court, it is called a “lawsuit”, which is a legal action in which a person or group sues to collect “damages” (an award of money) for some harm that is done.

“Civil” Law

As in a criminal case, a “plaintiff” is the individual or group that files the lawsuit.

Also, the “defendant” is the individual or group that is being sued.

“Civil” Law A case begins when a

“complaint” is filed (a formal statement naming those involved and describing the nature of the lawsuit)

Once filed, a “summons” (a document notifying the defendant of the lawsuit against them and an order a to appear) is sent by the court.

“Civil” Law

A defendant may respond to the suit in a “pleading” (complaint and answer together).

“Discovery” is the name of the process in which lawyers for the plaintiff and defendant check facts and gather evidence for the case

“Civil” Law

In an “equity” lawsuit, issues are resolved by a judge based on the grounds of fairness.

Judges often issue an “injunction” (or a court order commanding a person or group to stop a certain action)

Legal Protections in the U.S. Constitution

Rulings in court cases are decided by written laws and precedents of earlier cases.

“Stare decisis” means “let the decision stand”, or the practice of using earlier judicial rulings as a basis for deciding cases.


“Writ of habeas corpus” is a court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person


“Bills of attainder” are laws that punish a person accused of a crime without a trial or a fair hearing in court.


“Ex post facto laws” are laws that allow a person to be punished for an action that was not against the law when it was committed..


“Due process” is the legal procedures established when dealing with the accused.

Amendment Protection

Several of the amendments of the Constitution help protect the rights of the “accused”:– Fourth– Fifth– Sixth– Eighth

“Fourth Amendment” This amendment protects

citizens from “unreasonable searches and seizures”

Law enforcement must obtain a “search warrant” (signed by a judge) specifying the exact place to be searched and what objects may be seized. Law Enforcement must have probable cause!

“Fifth Amendment” This amendment

protects the rights of the accused:– No self incrimination– Right of due process– No “double jeopardy”

(accused of the same crime more than once)

– Right to a “grand jury” (where a group of citizens determine if there is enough evidence to continue)

“Sixth Amendment”

This amendment protects the rights of the accused by granting counsel (or a lawyer)

If the accused can not afford one, the state must provide one.

“Eighth Amendment”

This amendment protects the rights of the accused by forbidding “cruel and unusual punishments” or “excessive bail”

“Bail” is a sum of money paid to court to win release while waiting for their trial.

Young People & the Courts Citizens under a certain

age are considered “juveniles” (18 in most states)

Those who commit crimes against society are considered to be “juvenile delinquents” (not old enough for adult courts)

Young People & the Courts

Most crimes committed by juveniles are “misdemeanors” (less serious)

However, juveniles do commit “felonies” (more serious).


The primary goal of the juvenile court is to “rehabilitate” the juvenile (or correct the behavior) rather than to punish.

These courts basically handle “neglect” and “delinquency” cases


Many police departments have officers who try and “divert” (or steer away from the court system) these juveniles.


While court trials for juveniles are similar to adults, they do NOT have the right to a jury trial.

The judge makes the decision.


The rights of juveniles were established in the 1967 “In re Gault” Supreme Court case (right to counsel, remain silent, confront witnesses etc.)


Unlike adult trials, the identity of juveniles is kept secret and the criminal records of these juveniles can be erased when they reach adulthood.

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Chapter Fifteen & Sixteen