The Constitution and Lawmaking

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The Constitution and Lawmaking

• CHAPTER 1

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Why do we have laws ?

• To help maintain order and protect the rights of
  individuals.
• To handle disputes between individuals.
• To deal with criminal activities.

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Kinds of Laws

• 1. Constitutional Law-
• document explaining powers and limits of govt.
  Lists freedoms and rights.
• U.S. Constitution
• State Constitution
• 2. Statutory Law
• A law enacted by Congress

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Kinds of Laws

• Common Law-
• Law based upon judges decisions.
• These cases established PRECEDENT
• 4. Administrative Law-
• Laws made and enforced by govt agencies.
• Example IRS Tax laws.

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Civil vs Criminal

• Civil law
• deals with issues including marriage, divorce
  business contracts, civil rights etc.
• Criminal law defines crimes and spells out
  punishments for violators.

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The basis of our Laws The U.S. Constitution
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Branches of Government

• The Constitution determines the division/
  branches of govt.
• 1. Legislative
• 2. Executive
• 3. Judicial
• No one branch has the power to control the
  government.
• ( SEPERATION OF POWERS)

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The Legislative Branch

• The U.S. Congress.
• Senate House of Representatives
• SENATE 100- 2 MEMBERS FROM EACH STATE
• House 435 Number determined by states
  population
• Has the power to make laws that govern the
  nation.
• Has the power to impeach

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The Legislative Branch

• SENATORS Representing the State of Maine ?
• Members of the House of Representative from Maine
  ?

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The Executive Branch

• Article II of the Constitution defines this
  branch.
• President Vice President of the U.S.
• Responsible for
• Enforcing and carrying out the laws of the
  country.
• Appoints federal judges.
• Power to grant clemency can issue pardons

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Judicial Branch

• Article III of the Constitution
• Includes the Supreme Court and all other federal
  courts that CONGRESS creates.
• Responsible for interpreting and applying the
  laws.