Media Law & Ethics Midterm Exam Questions with Latest Update

5 sources of law - ANSWER-common law, equity laws, statutory law, constitutional law, executive orders. Common Law - ANSWER-Also known as "judge-made-law". Form of law that has been around for a very long time. -Comes from other cases. Precedent - ANSWER-Prior ruling of certain case that judges use as a guideline to come to conclusion of a new case. Equity Law - ANSWER-Judge made law. No jury, flexibility between cases -Allows judges to issue preventative orders (restrinaing orders) Statutory Law - ANSWER--Laws protecting society from harm. Criminal law created by legislators. Laws put in place to protect society. (Speed limits, women able to drop baby off at police station - won't face any charges) Constitutional Law - ANSWER-Outlines and organizes rights & responsibilities of U.S. citizen. -First amendment rights. Executive Orders - ANSWER--Come from gov leaders (the president) -Administrative rules (town charter) Civil Law - ANSWER--One individual against another individual Criminal (court cases) - ANSWER--Gov V. An individual Arraignment - ANSWER-Your appearance before the judge where they tell you what you are being charged for. 7 First amendment theories - ANSWER-Absolute, Ad hoc balancing, Meiklejohnian, Marketplace of ideas, Access, & Self-realization theory. Absolute Theory - ANSWER-The government cannot monitor the media no matter what. Ad Hoc Theory - ANSWER-Protects laws against other laws. Balances out conflicting values. Preferred Position Theory - ANSWER-Gives the first amendment priority over other rights.