Civics Core 100, Goal 6

The learner will explain why laws are needed and how they are enacted, implemented, and

enforced at the national, state, and local levels.

1st known system of written law

King Hammurabi of Babylonia wrote it in about 1760 B.C.

Harsh Penalties:– An eye for an eye

1st Roman Law = 450 B.C.

Senate

Many modern governments are based on Roman Law

1215 “Great Charter” In England

– Protected the nobles’ privileges and authority

– Granted certain rights to all land holders– Equal treatment under the law– Right to a trial with jury of peers

Limited Government precedent established– Ruler doesn’t have ultimate power

Disputes between people or groups in which no criminal laws have been broken

Not a threat to social order

Prevent ppl from deliberately or recklessly harm another or another’s property

Most fundamental and important source of law in the US

Applies to branch of the law dealing with the formation, construction, and interpretation of the constitution

Binds nations together under common values and beliefs

Differs from other law b/c it is for nations, not people

Lobbyist: representatives of interest groups who contact lawmakers or other government officials directly

All levels of gov’t = local, state, and national

Suggest solutions to problems and issues

Sometimes prepare their own drafts of bills for lawmakers to consider

Law developed through decisions of courts, rather than executive action– Created by Judges– Based on precedents

Organizations of people who unite to promote their ideas

AKA Special Interest Groups By pooling resources, hopefully they

will influence lawmakers

1. Bandwagon2. Name Calling3. Endorsement4. Stacked Cards5. Glittering Generality6. Just Plain Folks7. Transfer

1. The Bandwagon

Appeal to an individual to follow the crowd

Ex. The polls show that a candidate is ahead and one votes for their candidate because they want to be part of the “winning team”

2. Name Calling

Saying / printing something negative about the other candidate

3. Endorsement:

Having celebrities publicly announce who they are supporting

Ex. Oprah endorses Barack Obama

4. Stacked Cards

Selective omission Only presenting positive information

and omitting the rest

5. Glittering Generality

Using words with different positive meanings for the individuals using them

Usually an agreeable term : honor, freedom, love of country, etc..

Ex. John McCain and Sarah Palin are Mavericks

6. Just Plain Folks

Candidate advertises himself / herself as an ordinary person, therefore, they can relate to the average American

Ex. Obama’s background: raised by single mother

7. Transfer

Associate a patriotic symbol with a candidate

Sentence = punishment

Indeterminate sentence: judge gives min. and max. sentence– Parole: early release

from prison; must report to parole office until end of sentence

Mandatory Sentencing: must impose the sentence the law directs

1. Suspended Sentence2. Home Confinement3. Monetary Fine4. Restitution5. Work Release6. Imprisonment7. Death

Reform: Rehabilitation: correct a person’s

behavior, rather than punish Primary goal of Juvenile court