Law Flashcards
Four main Roles of Law?
Establish Boundaries
Protection
Freedom
Resolve disputes
The main difference between Laws and Rules?
The consequences associated
Laws are enforced by police and court
Rules are more flexible and carry low end consequences
The role of laws?
Aim to govern society enforced by institutions
What does the term anarchy mean?
Refers to a state of disorder or confusion due to the absence of laws
What are morals?
Personal code of standards
What are values?
Things of importance
What are ethics?
Principles and rules of conduct that a society expects people to follow in order to act normally
Describe the removal of the death penalty in Australia?
The death penalty is a controversial form of punishment that many people see as unethical and inhumane, which is why Australia removed it in 1967
What impact did the introduction of British laws have upon traditional aboriginal law?
indigenous laws were often ignored or replaced by British laws, eroding traditional ways of governance and justice. Indigenous cultural practices were criminalised and discrimination against indigenous people became commonplace place in the legal system.
euthanasia case study
Description of the local court?
hears criminal offences e.g stealing, DUI
a magistrate can also decide whether to move the case to a higher court depending on evidence and severity of the offence
NO JURY
Description of the district court?
Deals with civil matters between 100 -750 thousand dollars
appeals from local court move to here
Decides on appropriate sentencing
offences like armed robbery, rape, manslaughter and fraud
Description of the Court Of Appeal?
Hears appeals from the Supreme Court
The court of appeal must grant leave to appeal a judgement of an inferior court.
“The appellant must obtain permission from the Court of Appeal to appeal their case before they bring it to the court.”
Description of Supreme Court?
serious criminal cases
Civil Cases, involving more than 750 000 dollars
Description of the Federal Court?
Deals with breaches of federal laws
Reviews decisions made by federal government officers
Description of the high court?
Hears cases concerning the interpretation of the Australian constitutions
The court consists of 7 judges and there is no jury
Description of the coroners court?
Unnatural, unexpected =, sudden and suspicious deaths it has the power to:
retain possession of the body of a person whose death is is reportable to the coroner.
The Coroner’s Court investigates deaths, particularly those that are unexpected, suspicious, or occur in custody, to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the death.
Who is a judge?
Impartial decision makers int eh pursuit of justice
Decides appropriate punishment if the defendant is found guilty
Who is a magistrate?
Sits in the local court and often responsible for presiding over a large number of cases on any single day.
is responsible for hearing minor criminal cases, civil disputes, and administrative matters.
Who is a solicitor?
Spends most time in their office handling the needs of their clients instead of in a courtroom
Email and telephone comm
Drafting court docs + letters
Who is a barrister?
The primary responsibility of a barrister is to act on behalf of a client during serious criminal cases in front of a jury and a judge
JURY DETAILS
- A jury in a criminal case (12 people) decides between guilty/not guilty.
- impartial and unrelated to the case.
- Unanimous vote or only one diagrees
4.
What are the three powers of parliament?
The legislative power to make laws
The executive power to carry out and enforce the laws
The judicial power to interpret laws and to judge whether they apply in individual cases
What is a statute law?
Laws that are made by parliament. Once a law has been passed it is binding on all courts and judges.
Statue law will always succeed over common law.