GOOD AFTERNOON

Please take one of each of the papers on the

front table.
Read the CNN news article about Texas
governor Rick Perry
Read the indictment
Do you agree with this indictment? Why
What evidence will need to be brought against
Perry to win a conviction?
What would you do to defend Perry in court?
What are the possible political ramifications of
this case?
LAW STUDIES
WHAT IS LAW?
Laws are rules made by the government that
tell people in a society how they should act.
Can take many forms, depending on the society
What are some laws from other
countries/cultures that would not be laws in the
U.S.?
Stable societies depend on government
officials to enforce the laws and citizens to
obey them.
LAW AND VALUES
Laws generally reflect peoples ideas about
right and wrong
Not everything that is immoral is illegal
The goal of law in democratic societies is to
respect the majoritys wants while protecting
the rights of the minority.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Rights that belong to people simply because
they are human
Universal Declaration of Rights
UN International Treaties
In the U.S., the Constitution, Bill of Rights,
and other laws protect human rights
How do these documents protect human rights?
What are the consequences for violating these
laws?
BALANCING RIGHTS WITH RESPONSIBILITIES
Americans enjoy many individual rights.
Some argue that these rights must be
balanced with social responsibilities to foster
a sense of community.
What do you think? How should rights be
balanced with responsibilities? Can this be
enforced by law? How?
KINDS OF LAWS
Law can be divided into two major
categories:
Civil person vs. person
Criminal government vs. person
Require a higher standard of proof because penalties
are more severe.

OUR CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
The Constitution of the United States of
America
Highest law in the land
Longest lasting written constitution in the world
Sets guidelines for the organization of
government
Limits governmental powers
Outlines rights and freedoms of U.S. citizens
Establishes 3 branches of government and
requires checks and balances of power
LAWMAKING
Legislatures
Lawmaking bodies of federal and state
governments.
Federal law usually prevails when statutes
conflict.
Respond to the needs of the people by
introducing legislation in the form of bills
Bills must be approved to become laws
When disputes arise regarding the meaning of
laws they are resolved in court
AGENCIES
Legislative bodies usually only write general
laws.
Government agencies then develop rules
and regulations that make laws more
specific.
These rules become law without being voted
on by lawmakers, but agencies often hold
public hearings before issuing proposed
rules and regulations.
COURTS
Courts make laws by establishing
precedents.
Someone who loses a trial can sometimes
ask a higher court to review and change the
ruling.
When an appellate court decides a case, its
written opinion sets a precedent for similar
cases in the future.
What precedent might the case against
Texas Gov. Rick Perry set if he is convicted?
INTERNATIONAL LAWMAKING
Established through treaties
Agreements between countries
Regulate international commerce, ownership of
property, and other multinational issues.
United Nations
Formed in 1945 (WWII)
Maintains a system of international courts and
has become the most important international law
institution.
BILL OF RIGHTS
Read through your copy of the bill of rights.
Select three amendments to remove (1-10
make up the BoR)
Explain why you would remove each
amendment.
Be prepared to share
Why is the ability to propose an amendment
to the Constitution necessary?
Propose an Amendment to the Constitution.
Provide rationale as to why you believe this
amendments needs to be added.
Summarize each of the first ten
amendments in your own words. Give the
legal implications and applications of each.
How does a bill become a law?

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Syllabus
Signature page
Information page (name, parent/guardian info,
Why do we need to study law? What do you
expect from this class?)
Notes
Rick Perry indictment
TED talks Q&A
Bill of Rights activity