MSU GBL 385-EXAM 1 BEHAN
Questions and Answers
Objectives of law
✓ ~~~law exists to influence behavior
✓ Hammurabi--in one of the oldest law codes known to man opined that "law exists to
protect the weak from the strong"
As a society we criminalize behavior that we wish not to tolerate and in that way we
seek to deter or influence certain behavior; we do the same with civil law.
statutory law
✓ ~~~Our legal representatives pass laws (both civil and criminal) in the form of statutes
and codes
common law
✓ ~~~Court's make law in the way that they interpret law - we call this case law. We
adopted the common law from England and we have added to it over the past 230+
years. Many of the "rights" that we hold dear to us come from the common law (case law)
- 'right to privacy'
precedent
✓ ~~~an earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in
subsequent similar circumstances.
(stare decisis)
criminal law
, ✓ ~~~statutory in nature.
Civil Infractions
Not Considered Crimes (limited to fines)
Two basic types of crimes:
Felonies: imprisonment of more than one year; death penalty
Misdemeanors: imprisonment of one year of less
civil law
✓ ~~~Anything that is not criminal in nature.
The idea behind civil law is that civil law allows for people to live together, work
together, and rely upon each other in a more orderly and civilized manner.
Whether we embrace the idea or not, we all rely upon each other in one fashion or
another- we place our safety and safety of our families in each others hands on a
daily basis. Civil law is the law of contracts, and property, and torts, and
employment, and divorce, and inheritance, and tax - AND SO MANY OTHERS
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller ExamArsenal. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
