Legal Terminology and Dust Bowl Historical Context
Key Roles in a Courtroom Trial
1. The Judge
Judges keep trials fair, stay neutral, handle objections, and decide punishments. UK judges still wear wigs.
2. The Witness
Witnesses speak in the witness box and must tell the truth. Lying under oath is a serious crime called perjury. In the US, defendants can refuse to testify.
3. The Prosecution
The prosecution tries to prove the accused is guilty. In criminal cases, the state brings charges for serious crimes. In civil cases, a plaintiff sues for compensation.
Read MoreLegal positivism” “meaning and scope of legal rules
1. FOUNDATIONS OF LAW & JUSTICE ★ VERY HIGH PRIORITY
law can be valid but produce unfair outcomes
Social Construction of Crime:
Crime is shaped by politics, power, and society — not the behaviour itself. The legal status of an act is a result of social response to it.
Moral entrepreneurs:
individuals/groups who pressure legislators to criminalize behaviours
Models of Law:
- Value consensus law reflects shared values and community norms
- Conflict law
Understanding White-Collar Crime Dynamics and Corporate Accountability
1. White-Collar Crime Context
Why can white-collar crime not be understood solely by analyzing the illegal act?
White-collar crime cannot be understood solely by the illegal act because its definition is closely linked to the author’s social, economic, and organizational status. These crimes are committed by individuals who hold positions of power or trust within organizations, which enables them to access resources, information, and opportunities not available to others.
Furthermore, the organizational
Read MoreBharatiya Nyaya Sanhita: Crime Definitions, Elements & Punishments
Module 1: Definition of Crime
1. Definition of Crime
1.1 Meaning and Concept
The term crime is derived from the Latin word crimen, meaning offence or fault.
A crime is an act or omission that violates the law, causes harm to an individual or to society, and is punishable by the State. It represents conduct that the State considers socially dangerous and therefore prohibits through legislation.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS) does not define crime in a single provision, but the entire Sanhita
Read MoreArrest Law in Malaysia: Arrest, Rights & Search Procedures
Arrest: Introduction and Legal Basis
TOPIC: ARREST (INTRODUCTION): Arrest is the first step in the criminal justice process. Article 5(1) of the Federal Constitution protects personal liberty and states that no one can be deprived of liberty unless it is according to law. Therefore, an arrest must be made lawfully and based on legal provisions. An arrest can be challenged in court if it has no valid reason or if excessive force is used.
Why determine whether there is an arrest? Some rights of a suspect
Read MoreCourt Systems, Criminal Process, Sentencing and Corrections
Court Functions
4 functions of courts: Due process, crime control, rehabilitation, bureaucratic functions.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction: geographic, concurrent.
Court Structure
Trial courts – first level; hear evidence and issue verdicts.
Appellate courts – review rulings for legal error; no new evidence.
Dual court system – separate federal and state court systems with shared authority.
Supreme Court Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court – original (e.g., disputes between states, ambassadors), appellate
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