Watch The Video Above And Complete The Discussion Quest

Watch The Video Above And Then Complete The Discussion Questions Below

Watch the video above and then complete the discussion questions below. Please write one paragraph for each question. You should use other sources to help answer the questions. Not all questions are answered in the video alone. When using other sources, you must cite your source. To do this, you can simply copy and paste the URL link to the source at the end of your assignment. The best thing to do is copy/paste the questions in a Word document, answer the questions, and use in-text citations for your sources. However, listing the sources at the bottom of your work works too. ChatGPT and AI: These tools are great for finding information on a topic and can be used as a research tool. Students cannot copy and paste information from these tools and submit it as their own work. That is plagiarism. What does it mean that the United States is a "country of laws and not of men"? What is the responsibility of judges when their personal opinions are in conflict with the rule of law in the case before them? Give three examples of ways that the rule of law has an impact on your life? What are the three branches of government in the United States? What is common law?

Paper For Above instruction

The phrase "a country of laws and not of men" underscores the principle that in the United States, governance is based on established legal frameworks rather than the arbitrary will of individuals. This concept emphasizes that laws are supreme, and even those in power must adhere to them, ensuring fairness and consistency within the legal system. In this context, judges have a responsibility to interpret and apply the law impartially. When their personal opinions conflict with the rule of law, judges are ethically obliged to set aside personal beliefs and follow legal statutes and precedents. Their primary obligation is to uphold justice and preserve the integrity of the judicial system, which often involves making decisions based on the law rather than personal or political considerations. This approach maintains the stability and fairness of legal processes, which is fundamental to the proper functioning of democracy.

The rule of law impacts our daily lives in numerous ways. For instance, it ensures that contracts are enforceable, providing a legal framework that facilitates commerce and personal agreements. Second, it protects individuals from unlawful searches and seizures through constitutional protections like the Fourth Amendment, thereby safeguarding personal privacy. Third, it establishes judicial processes that guarantee fair trials and due process, which are essential for justice and personal security. These elements of the rule of law help create a predictable legal environment that underpins social order and individual rights, impacting everything from business transactions to personal safety.

The three branches of government in the United States are the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The executive branch, headed by the President, enforces laws and manages national affairs. The legislative branch, consisting of Congress, makes laws and oversees their creation and modification. The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court, interprets laws and evaluates their constitutionality. These branches function through a system of checks and balances designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power, thus protecting the democratic framework of the country. This separation of powers ensures that laws are broadly and fairly applied, and that individual rights are safeguarded from potential abuses of authority.

Common law is a legal system that originates from judicial decisions and precedents rather than statutes or written codes. It relies heavily on the principle of stare decisis, meaning that courts follow established rulings to ensure consistency and predictability in the law. Common law evolved in England and has been adopted in many countries, including the United States, where it forms the basis for much of the legal system. This body of law develops over time through court judgments, adapting to new circumstances while maintaining continuity with prior decisions. Common law plays a crucial role in shaping legal principles and resolving disputes that are not explicitly covered by statutory law, providing flexibility within a structured legal framework.

References

  • Friedman, L. M. (2019). A History of American Law. Simon & Schuster.
  • Chemerinsky, E. (2017). Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies. Wolters Kluwer.
  • Levinson, S. (2012). Our Undemocratic Constitution: Where the Constitution Goes Wrong (And How We the People Can Correct It). Oxford University Press.
  • U.S. Supreme Court. (n.d.). Role of the Supreme Court. Retrieved from https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/role.aspx
  • American Bar Association. (2020). Understanding the Judicial System. Retrieved from https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/resources/law_related_education_network/how_courts_work/
  • Legal Information Institute. (2023). Common Law. Cornell Law School. Retrieved from https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/common_law
  • U.S. Constitution. (1787). Article I, Article II, and Article III.
  • National Archives. (2021). The Three Branches of Government. Retrieved from https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/three-branches
  • Schneider, B. (2020). The Rule of Law in American Politics. Routledge.
  • Harvard Law Review. (2018). Judicial Independence and Responsibility. Retrieved from https://harvardlawreview.org/

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