CALL TO ORDERDescribe what is going on in this picture

using at least three specific

details.

Is this a boy doing a puzzle with his sister? Or is the girl a part of the puzzle?

INTERPRET: make sense of

• Each of you had DIFFERENT interpretations of the picture.

• Supreme Court justices might have DIFFERENT interpretations of the law.

Who makes up the judicial branch?

• Supreme Court (Nine members appointed for life)

National

• Maryland Circuit Court of Appeals

State

• District CourtLocal

What is the judicial branch’s role?

To interpret the law!(figure out what it means)

The Story of “Little Melvin” Williams• Melvin Williams grew

up in West Baltimore• By the age of 15 he

had made a few hundred thousand hustling in crap shooting (dice) and pool

• He considers himself a mathematical genius

Little Melvin found his career in gambling. His skills became legendary in Baltimore

Little Melvin’s luck runs out

Capsules of Heroin In 1967, Baltimore police Sgt. Lawrence Winecke put his hand into William’s coat pocket and came out with 16 capsules of heroin

“He planted it!”

• To this day “Little Melvin” claims officer Winecke set him up and planted heroin in his pocket that night

• “Little Melvin” believes the police were intimidated by his growing power and influence in Baltimore as a legendary gambler

•Officer Winecke has never been convicted of this crime. It never went to a court of law. •However, there are some in law enforcement and media (news reporters) who expressed doubts at the case’s legitimacy and believe “Little Melvin’s claim•Years later, facing corruption charges, officer Winecke committed suicide

Little Melvin makes a decision that will forever change his life

• After being charged with possession of heroin “Little Melvin” decided to become a full time drug dealer

• He has been quoted as saying• “They wanted to call me a drug dealer” says

Williams, “so I was gonna be the biggest drug dealer anybody ever saw. I sold more than anyone. I did it in anger”

“Little Melvin” soon became the largest drug trafficker in Baltimore city

“Little Melvin” spends 26 and a half years in and out of Jail

• For the next forty years “Little Melvin’s” life was a blur of drugs, millions of dollars, expensive cars and federal imprisonment

Why tell “Little Melvin’s” story?

• The Story of “Little Melvin” is a story of crime and law

• This unit we will be looking deeply into criminal and civil law

• But we will start with criminal law, and use “Little Melvin” to begin

Due Process

• The steps that the government must take in order to take away your freedom

(planting drugs on you isn’t one of them…but let’s figure out what they are!)

Informing the suspect of his rights against self-incrimination

• The fifth amendment says that you do not have to incriminate yourself.

• The sixth amendment says you also have a right to a lawyer.

Knowing the Charge

• The cops must tell you why they are arresting you.

You’re under arrest…for being cute!

Obtaining Probable Cause

• Evidence that police have that make it likely that something will be found where it is said to be found

Warrant

• A judge needs to sign a warrant to search peoples’ homes and belongings.

Setting Bail

The amount of money that must be paid to be released from jail.

Habeas Corpus

• Means “you hold the body”

• The government must give you a speedy trial

• The government cannot hold your body in prison for a long time without a trial

• Can be suspended during emergency situations

In your notebook, order these from least offensive to most offensive.

• Littering• Disturbing the Peace• Trespassing• Embezzlement• Arson• Burglary• Murder • Vandalism• Assault• Stealing• Harassment• Trespassing