Chapter 3 Test 1 Flashcards
Involves the federal, state, or local government and its relationship to individuals and business organizations
Public law
What are the two types of public laws?
criminal law and Civil law
Government is a party prosecuting an accused who has been charged with violating a criminal statute or criminally violating a regulation (misdemeanor vs. felony)
Criminal law
Regulatory activities for which non-compliance is non-criminal in nature
Civil law
Concerns the rules and principles that define rights and duties among people and among private businesses (a government is not a party)
Private law
What are the four sources of law?
1. Constitutions Federal and state 2. Statues Federal, state and local 3. Administrative Law 4. Judicial Decisions
Body of law that deals with the amount and types of power and authority that governments are given
US Constitution defines three branches of government:
- Legislative branch (Congress = House and Senate)
- Executive branch (President and cabinet)
- Judicial branch (Court system and judges)
States also have constitutions
Constitutional law
Statutes are enacted by a legislative body US Code (USC): Compilation of all federal statutes
Statutory law
Executive branch enforces laws enacted by legislative body through development of rules and regulations
- US Code of Federal Regulation (CFR)
- Administrative Agency Tribunals deal with disputes to related to administrative law
Administrative law
Judicial law or case law
Based on court resolutions of disputes
Outcomes vary from state to state and from federal court system to another
Precedent and Stare decisis (“Let the Decision Stand”)
Lower courts in a court system are bound to apply decisions of higher courts in the same court system when determining the outcome of the case, if the fact pattern of the case in the higher court was similar to of the current case.
common Law
Occurs when there is an inconsistency between laws of different states arising from a legal action that involves more than one jurisdiction
State vs. state
- Each state must follow its own law
Federal vs. state
- Supremacy clause- federal law preempts any conflicting state law
Conflicts of Laws
What are the three branches of government?
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
Enforces laws through creation and issuance of rules and regulations by administrative agencies
Example: Federal regulation of healthcare
Health and Human Services oversees Medicare, Medicaid, Indian Health Service, and other entities.
Example: State regulation of healthcare
Numerous agencies deal with disbursement of Medicaid funds, mental health, public health, etc.
Executive branch
Enacts laws in the form of statutes
The US Congress is a bicameral (two-chamber) model consisting of the:
- Senate
- House of Representatives
Legislative branch
Interprets laws and adjudicates disputes, creating common law (judicial or case law)
Federal and state course apply res judicata (“a matter already judged”) to limit excessive litigation.
Prevents same matters involving same parties to be litigated via subsequent law suits once all appeals have been exhausted.
Judicial branch
Limits the authority of each and inhibits any one branch of government from becoming autocratic
AKA- Checks and Balances
Separation of powers
What are the courts in the state court system?
- trial courts (lowest tier)
- appellate courts (middle tier)
- state supreme court (highest tier)
What are the two different jurisdictions in the trial courts (lower tier)?
General and Limited jurisdiction
Hear more serious criminal cases or civil cases dealing with large sums
General jurisdiction
Hear cases related to of particular subject matter or lesser severity crimes (e.g., small claims, domestic relations, landlord–tenant)
Limited jurisdiction
Hear appeals on final judgments of the state trial courts
Appellate courts (middle tier)
Hears appeals from the appellate courts (or from trial courts if no appellate court)
Case is not reenacted rather only legal errors or problems are presented
State supreme court (highest tier)
At all tiers, a court’s written determination outlining the facts of the case and the legal theories followed to reach an outcome
Opinion
What courts are in the federal court system?
- district courts
- circuit courts
- US supreme court
