LW 221 Lecture Notes - Lecture 29: First Amendment To The United States Constitution, United States Constitution, Legislature
Document Summary
Introduction to the american legal system (chapter 1) Importance- every society in history has had some sort of legal system or laws. There is (cid:374)o su(cid:272)h thi(cid:374)g as (cid:862)the la(cid:449)(cid:863) as it has (cid:373)a(cid:374)y different sources. Precedent- the tendency to decide current cases based on previous rulings. The doctrine of precedent, which developed gradually over centuries, requires that judges decide current cases based on previous rulings. The accumulation of precedent, based on case after case, makes up the common law. United states constitution- any law that conflicts with it is void: establishes the national government of the u. s, creates a system of checks and balances. Chief: judicial power- the right to interpret laws and determine their validity. Checks and balances: president can veto congressional legislation, congress can impeach the president, president appoints judges to federal courts (including the supreme court, congress can override the supreme court by amending the constitution.
