The Legal system Chapter Notes | Social Studies for Grade 6 PDF Download

Introduction

The legal system is the set of rules and institutions that help keep our society fair and safe. It includes laws that tell us what we can and cannot do, and courts that make sure those laws are followed. For sixth graders, understanding the legal system means learning how rules are made, how they are enforced, and how people settle disagreements fairly. This chapter will explore laws and courts in the United States, explaining how they work together to create a just society.

Laws and Courts

Laws are rules that everyone in a community or country must follow to keep things orderly and safe.

• Why we need laws:
  • Laws help protect people's rights, like the right to be safe and treated fairly.
  • They prevent people from harming others, such as stealing or fighting.
  • Laws make sure everyone knows what is expected, like following traffic rules.
  • They help solve problems peacefully when people disagree.
• Who makes laws:
  • In the United States, laws are made by elected officials in the government.
  • The U.S. Congress, made up of the Senate and House of Representatives, creates national laws.
  • State governments have their own lawmakers who create state laws.
  • Local governments, like city councils, make local laws called ordinances.
• Types of laws:
  • Criminal laws deal with crimes, like stealing or hurting someone, and can lead to punishments like jail.
  • Civil laws handle disputes between people, like arguments over property or contracts.
  • Constitutional laws are based on the U.S. Constitution, which is the highest law in the country.
  • Traffic laws control how people drive to keep roads safe.
• Courts are places where disagreements are settled and laws are enforced.
  • Courts decide if someone broke a law and what should happen next.
  • They also solve arguments between people, like when someone doesn’t pay money they owe.
• Types of courts:
  • Federal courts handle cases about national laws or disputes between states.
  • State courts deal with state laws and local issues, like family disputes or small crimes.
  • The Supreme Court is the highest court in the U.S. and makes final decisions on important cases.
  • Lower courts, like district courts, handle most cases before they go to higher courts.
• People in a courtroom:
  • A judge is in charge of the courtroom and makes sure the trial is fair.
  • A jury is a group of citizens who listen to the case and decide if someone is guilty or not.
  • Lawyers speak for the people in the case, explaining their side to the judge and jury.
  • The plaintiff is the person who starts a civil case, claiming someone wronged them.
  • The defendant is the person accused of breaking a law or causing a problem.
• How a court case works:
  • A case starts when someone files a complaint, saying a law was broken or they were wronged.
  • Both sides share their story and show evidence, like documents or witnesses.
  • The judge or jury listens to both sides and decides what is fair based on the law.
  • If someone is found guilty in a criminal case, they might get a fine or go to jail.
  • In a civil case, the court might order someone to pay money or follow an agreement.
• Fairness in the legal system:
  • The legal system tries to treat everyone equally, no matter who they are.
  • People have the right to a fair trial, which means they can tell their side of the story.
  • The U.S. Constitution protects people’s rights, like the right to a lawyer.
  • If someone can’t afford a lawyer, the court provides one for free in criminal cases.
• Why courts are important:
  • Courts make sure laws are followed and people are held responsible for their actions.
  • They help solve problems without fighting or violence.
  • Courts protect people’s rights and make sure justice is served.
  • They help keep trust in the legal system by being fair and clear.