exam revision Flashcards
sources of statue law are…
parliament can create statue laws as the supreme law making body - acts of parliament
subordinate body’s, making power from commonwealth and state parliaments who delegate their law making power to subordinate bodies.
sources of common law
courts can make common law when judges interpret statutes or make precedents.
precedent
a principle established in a legal case that should be followed by courts in later cases where the material facts are similar.
Precedents can either be binding or persuasive
binding precedent
the legal reasoning for a decision of a higher court that must be followed by a lower court in the same jurisdiction in cases where the material facts are similar.
statutory interpretation
the process by which judges give meaning to the words or phrases in an act of parliament so it can be applied to resolve the case before them.
persuasive precedent
the legal reasoning behind a decision of a lower court within the same jurisdiction, or a court in a different jurisdiction that may be considered even though it is not binding.
reversing precedent(method of avoiding precedent)
occurs when the same court changes its previous decision as it was incorrect, establishing a new interpretation of the law.
overruling (method of avoiding precedent)
when a higher court nullifies a lower courts decision, setting a new legal standard.
distinguishing (method of avoiding precedent)
courts can identify significant differences between a current case and a prior case, allowing it to apply a different legal rule, preventing precedent.
disapproving (method of avoiding precedent)
publicly disapproving precedent, but must follow precedent.
two reasons for the victorian court hierarchy
- allows for specialisation of expertise
- enables parties to appeal to a higher court for review if unsatisfied.
presumption of innocence
the right of a person accused of a crime to be presumed bot guilty unless proven otherwise.
beyond reasonable doubt
the standard of proof in criminal cases. this requires the prosecution to prove there is no reasonable doubt that the accused committed the offence.
standard of proof
the degree or extent to which a case must be proved in court.
prosecution
responsible for conducting the case and appearing in court.
accused
a person charged with a criminal offence but has not been found guilty or pleaded guilty
burden of proof
the party responsible of providing the facts of the case. the prosecution carries the burden of proof in criminal offences, whereas the plaintiff carries the burden of proof in civil law
offender
someone who is found guilty or has pleaded guilty
plaintiff
person who brings a case against another in a court of law.
balance of probabilities
the standard of proof in civil disputes. this requires the plaintiff to establish that it is more probable than not that their claim is true.
bail
the temporary release of an accused person awaiting trial, sometimes on condition that a sum of money is lodged to guarantee their appearance in court.
actus reus
guilty act - the physical element of the crime.
mens rea
guilty mind - the mental element of the crime (state of mind)
‘knowing, intentionally, maliciously, recklessly, negligently and wilfully’ are examples
strict liability
crimes that have no mental element in their legal definition prosecution doesn’t have to prove mens rea
age of criminal responsibility
10 - 13 can be charged if doli incapax is found, 14 and above can be charged without proving doli incapax
doli incapax
a latin term meaning incapable of evil refers to the principle in Victoria that a child aged between 10 to 13 years is presumed to be incapable of forming mens era because they do not have the intellectual or moral capacity to know the differences between right and wrong.
summary offence
a minor offence generally hear in the magistrates court
indictable offence
a serious offence generally heard before a judge and a jury in the county court or Supreme Court of Victoria
indictable offence heard and determined summarily
a serious offence that is dealt with as a summary offence if the court and the accused agrees.
criminal law
an area of law that defines behaviours and conduct that are prohibited (i.e crimes) and outlines the sanctions for the people who commit them.
fairness
all people can participate in the justice system and its processes should be impartial and open.
equality
people should be treated in the same way, but if the same treatment creates disparity or disadvantage, adequate measures should be implemented to allow all to engage with the justice system without disparity or disadvantage.
access
all people should be able to engage with the justice system and its processes on an informed basis
how many jury are in a criminal trail?
12
in the selection of jury who may qualify as ineligible
- occupation such as police or lawyer
- language Barries
-physical disabilities
in the selection of jury who may qualify to be disqualified from the jury panel
- criminal convections who have served a term of imprisonment for over three years.
- on remand or bail
-bankrupt
in the selection of jury who may qualify as excused
- an appeal to not be empanelled due to a valid reason such as medical, financial and distance reasoning.
in the selection of jury what it is to be challenges
a lawyer can challenge a person with or without a reason to not be empanelled, no limit for challenges with a reason, however 3 without a reason.
what Is the role of the jury in a criminal trial
- listen to all the evidence
-concentrate during the trial - piece the evidence together and decide whether the accused is guilty or not guilty.
majority verdict in criminal trial
a decision where all but one juror agree. in a criminal trial this means 11 out of 12 jury.
evaluate the jury system
adv - jurors are independent and impartial; in particular, they are independent of the legal and political systems, thus helping to ensure equality and fairness in their decision.
dis - juries do not give reasons for their decisions, and deliberates occur behind closed doors, which can raise questions about whether they have understood the evidence or have made their decision based on bias or prejudice.
adv - the jury system allows the community to be involved in the legal system and in the administration of justice. this increases the communities confidence in the legal system.
dis - not all members of the community can be on the jury, because of th laws around people who are disqualified or ineligible, and people who can be excused or challenged. therefore, some may argue that it is not a true cross-section of the community.
adv- the jury system spreads the responsibility for making a decision across several jurors.
dis - jurors may have biases that may place a role in their deliberations, even if they are not aware of those biases.