Topic 2 - Laws and Citizens Flashcards
Legal Rules
Regulations or guidelines imposed upon the members of a specific group so they can work together in a peaceful manner.
Non Legal Rules
Non-legal rules apply to a group or organisation, but not society as a whole. Members agree to be bound by the rules, which do not have the force of law.
Principles of our legal system
Fairness
Equity
Access
Criminal Law
A system of law concerned with the punishment of offenders.
Summary Offence
Minor offences heard by a magistrate
Indictable Offence
Serious offences that require trial by a judge and jury
Defendant
The person accused of a crime
Prosecution
Works on behalf of the state to prove the accused guilty with evidence brought to the court.
Sanction
A penalty imposed on a person who has breached a criminal law
Jury
A group of citizens that decide if the accused is guilty or not guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
Witness
Is to give evidence if witnessed the incident.
Civil Law
Civil law is concerned with cases in which there is a dispute between two private individuals, the court determines the rights of the individuals and to settle the dispute.
Plaintiff
A person bringing a civil action to court
Negligence
A type of civil action where one party causes harm through failure to uphold a reasonable duty of care.
Defamation
A type of civil action where one party makes false statements that cause another party to lose their reputation.
