Lesson #2: The Purposes, Types,

and Sources of Laws and Rules

Activity 2.3: Types of Law^[1]

^[2]

Criminal and civil trials take place in courtrooms, as pictured above.

Laws can be divided into two main categories: criminal and civil. Courts treat criminal and civil cases differently. Criminal trials involve determining whether or not an individual is guilty of committing a crime, while civil trials focus on settling and remedying disagreements between people. In addition to these two main categories of law, there are two systems of law that work a little differently since they deal with unique populations: minors and people serving in the military. In this lesson, students will learn about each of these categories of law.

Social Studies Benchmark:

9.1.4.7.1: Describe the purposes, types, and sources of laws and rules. For example: Types of laws—civil, criminal and juvenile. Sources of laws and rules—case, statutory, administrative, and executive.

Reading Benchmarks:

9.12.2.2: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of how key events or ideas develop over the course of the text.

9.12.4.4: Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including vocabulary describing political, social, geographic, historical, or economic aspects of history/social studies.

9.12.8.8 Assess the extent to which the reasoning and evidence in a text support the author’s claims.

Writing Benchmarks:

9.14.4.4: Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization, and style are appropriate to discipline, task, purpose, and audience.

Learning Target:

I can describe the purposes, types, and sources of laws and rules.

• I can compare and contrast civil and criminal law.
• I can describe the military and juvenile justice systems.

Essential Question:

What are the purposes and sources of laws and rules? What are the different types of law?

• How are civil and criminal law similar and different from one another?
• How does military law work?
• How are juveniles treated differently than adults under the law?

To complete Activity 2.3 please follow the steps below:

Complete the tasks listed below and submit your responses by uploading a file to the “Add Submission” box. Respond to the worksheet (and additional) questions and complete the charts. Please submit your responses to each question using the text submission box located at the bottom of this moodle page. Please answer with proper response construction and make sure to include your name properly on the assignment. Name, Course, Grade, Date.

STEP 1: KWL Chart (K & W)

Before beginning the lesson, think about what you already know and what you would like to learn about the various types of law (criminal, civil, military, and juvenile). Create a chart like the one below and fill in the first 2 columns.

STEP 2: Read iCivics “Types of Law”^[3]

This iCivics reading explains the main types of laws in the United States. Read it carefully and be prepared to answer the worksheet comprehension questions in Step 2.

STEP 3: Complete the iCivics “Types of Law” Worksheet^[4]

Please answer the comprehension questions in a separate document. You do not need to re-type the text of each question, but be sure to letter and number the questions so your answers can be easily identified. In addition to the questions on the worksheet, please answer the following:

1. Think of and list an example of each of the categories of crimes: crimes against people, crimes against property, and crimes against the government.
2. Carefully examine each step in the “One Accident, Two Trials” diagram. This of your own example of a single event that could result in both criminal and civil trials, and create a diagram to outline the steps and flow of both court cases.

STEP 4: Comparing Civil & Criminal Law

Let’s look at some of the more detailed differences between civil and criminal law. Create an organization chart similar to the one below, in which you can identify the similarities and differences between civil and criminal law. Watch “What’s the Difference Between Criminal and Civil Law?” and “What are the Differences Between Civil and Criminal Trials?” and fill in the missing information in the chart.

STEP 5: KWL Chart (L)

Revisit your KWL chart from Step 1. In the 3rd column, record at least one thing you learned about each type of law (criminal, civil, military, and juvenile).

Upload your responses to the “Add Submission” box!

1. Open document to your computer
2. Complete the Activity
3. Click "Save As" and save it onto a special place on your computer
4. Click "Upload a File"
5. Upload the file to this Moodle page
6. Click Save