JOUR 275 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Precedent, Statutory Law, Blackletter
19 Dec 2018
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Document Summary
Justice is delivered in a timely panner my competent, ethical, independent, and neutral reps who serve the public good. Vague laws: laws that either fail to define their terms or use such general language that people do not know with certainty what the laws permit. Discretion: the authority to determine the proper outcome. Over broad law: a principle that directs courts to find laws unconstitutional if they restrict more freedom than necessary. Stare decisis: the doctrine that courts follow precedent; the basis of common law. Precedent: the outcome of a previous case that establishes a rule of law that courts within the same jurisdiction rely on to determine cases with similar issues. Constitutional law: set of laws that establish the nature, functions and limits of government. Statutory law: written law formally enacted by city/county/state/federal legislative bodies. Black-letter law: formally enacted, written law that is available in legal reporters or other documents.
