This document outlines the main forms of law and sources of criminal law. It discusses how civil law governs relationships between individuals and corporations through cases involving malpractice, ownership disputes, and contracts. Criminal law involves felonies for serious crimes punishable by prison time or death, and misdemeanors for less serious crimes resulting in jail time. The sources of criminal law include constitutional law as the highest law, statutory law enacted by legislatures, administrative law in the form of agency rules and regulations, and case law made through court interpretations of other laws. Laws are subject to change over time as social norms evolve.

2. I. 2 Main Forms of Law
A. Civil Law--governs relationship
between individuals or corporations in a
society
1. malpractice suits, ownership
disputes, breach of contract, etc.
2. The plaintiff usually seeks
monetary damages

3. B. Criminal Law
1. Felony—serious criminal offense, may be
punishable with prison for a year or more or
by death
a. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th degree
b. Degrees of Murder
i. 1st--premeditated (some degree of
planning), and deliberated (done on
purpose)
ii. 2nd--only malice aforethought (intent
to inflict serious bodily harm, or to act with
wanton disregard for consequences
of actions).

4. iii. Voluntary Manslaughter--
homicide without malice (maybe
during a sudden quarrel)
iv. Involuntary Manslaughter--
Killings that result from negligence--
didn't mean to, but should have known
better. (Mainly motor vehicle deaths.)


5. 2. Misdemeanor--any crime that is not a felony.
Less serious.
a. Gross misdemeanor--punishable
by incarceration, usually in a local
jail, for 30 days to 1 year.
b. Petty misdemeanor—minor offense,
less than 30 days in jail
c. Violation--ticketable offense, doesn't
go on criminal record.

6. II. Sources of Criminal Law
A. Constitutional law
1. Supreme law of the land
B. Statutory law
1. Enacted by legislative bodies
2. Can be overturned by (A)
C. Administrative Law
1. rules and regulations from government agencies.
a. price-fixing, health code violations, EPA violations…
D. Case Law
1. law made by court decisions based on their
interpretations of the other laws

7. III. Final Note:
Laws are subject to interpretation and may be
modified as social norms change.
a. You probably noticed in Helter Skelter
that homosexual acts were considered
criminal. The US Supreme Court struck
down remaining “anti-sodomy” laws in
2003. Such laws had already been
repealed in 37 states.