Preview

Describe the difference between legislation and case law

Better Essays
Open Document
Open Document
586 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Describe the difference between legislation and case law
Kaplan University
PA205 – Unit 1 Assignment

1. The case study references 42.09(a)(3) of the Texas Penal Code. The statute refers to offenses against public order and decency regarding disorderly conduct. The offenses generally involve someone being offended by another’s actions. The statute includes, but is not limited to, use of vulgar or abusive language in a public place, exposing one’s genitals in a public place, displaying a firearm in a public place, and fighting with another in a public place.

2. It is the responsibility of the legislative branch to create statutes. Statutes are set in place to assist society by forbidding or directing a specific act. Statutes are not irreversible and can be changed, repealed, or overturned. An example of this happening is when the Supreme Court stated that burning of the flag was protected under the First Amendment. Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989).

3. The case involved Gregory Johnson and the state of Texas. Johnson was found guilty of desecrating an American flag and charged with violating section 42.09(a)(3) of the Texas Penal Code, but the ruling was eventually overturned. State v. Johnson, No. CCR 84-46013-J (Crim. Ct. No. 7, Dallas Cnty. Tex. Dec. 13, 1984).

4. After his arrest, Johnson pleaded not guilty in the Dallas County Criminal Court, but was convicted. State v. Johnson, No. CCR 84-46013-J (Crim. Ct. No. 7, Dallas Cnty. Tex. Dec. 13, 1984). He then appealed his case to the Texas Court of Appeals, Fifth District; however, the Court disagreed with Johnson and affirmed his conviction. Johnson v. State, 706 S.W.2d 120 (Tex. App. – Dallas 1986). Johnson once again appealed his case, this time to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Johnson v. State, 755 S.W.2d 92 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).

5. Texas v. Johnson, 491 U.S. 397 (1989)

6. The Supreme Court held that the statute was conflicting with the First Amendment and so they nullified the statue.

7.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Satisfactory Essays

    Court: Texas Court of Appeals, Twelfth District on appeal from the 402nd District Court Wood County…

    • 691 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Jackson V Indiana, 435 U.S. 975, 98 S. Ct. 1623, 56 L. Ed. 2d 69 (1978)…

    • 263 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stone v. Powell (1976) was convicted of murder in the state of California. Powell claimed that the search against him was unlawful so the gun found on him should have been inadmissible in court. He tried to file a writ of habeas corpus but a state prisoner is not granted that right since the state provided him with a full and…

    • 1275 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    * The purpose of the Legislative Branch is to write and pass laws that will help guide and justly govern the Country.…

    • 708 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Bibliography: miller, r. l. (2003). handbook of selected court cases, for gaines and millr 's criminal justice in action, 2nd edition. arlington: wadsworth thomson learning.…

    • 719 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The respondent was convicted in Dallas County Criminal Court of desecration of a venerated object in violation of a Texas statute. He was sentenced to one year in prison and fined $2000. The respondent appealed his conviction through the Court of Appeals for the Fifth District of Texas. They affirmed the decision of the lower court. The respondent then petitioned for discretionary review by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. This court then reversed the decision finding Johnson’s flag burning to be “symbolic speech” protected by the First Amendment. Certiorari was granted. The case went to the Supreme Court.…

    • 969 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ap Government Court Cases

    • 6581 Words
    • 27 Pages

    4. I disagree with this court decision because I think this was a violation of the fourteenth amendment made by the Supreme Court. I understand why the justices decided as they did, but their duty was…

    • 6581 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    2. The petitioner, Timothy Hurst, was convicted of first degree murder and the jury recommended the death penalty to the judge in Florida, who then sentenced Hurst to death. Hurst appealed to the Florida Supreme Court and was granted resentencing. The Florida Supreme Court rejected Hurst’s argument and reaffirmed his sentence. The Supreme Court of the United States granted certiorari.…

    • 1163 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Case Study Assignment

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages

    A. The parties involved in the case were Gregory Lee Johnson and the state of Texas.…

    • 395 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Sheppard Case

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages

    In an 8 to 1 decision, The Supreme Court granted certiorari and reversed his conviction and ordered a new trail. Justices Douglas, Clark, Harlan II, Brennan, Stewart, White, and Goldberg were in the majority with Justice Black…

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Nullification was first expressed in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions of 1798-1799. These resolutions declared that the Federalists’ Alien and Sedition laws were unconstitutional. The resolutions were written by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. On December 10, 1832, President Andrew Jackson proclaimed to the people of South Carolina that disputed a states' right to nullify a federal law.…

    • 194 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gregory Lee Johnson’s act of burning the American flag was not verbal communication.The United States Supreme Court ruled it as expressive conduct allowing it as the 1st amendment. In the case of Texas vs. Johnson, the United States Supreme Court leaned on Gregory Lee Johnson’s side, stating that this was an act of the first amendment under the United States Constitution. Gregory Lee Johnson’s charges and fines were dropped. The court case, Texas vs. Johnson closed on June 21, 1989. Shortly after the case of Texas vs. Johnson the United States Congress passed the, Flag Protection Act of 1989. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 rules that the government's interest in preserving the flag as a United States symbol is not more significant than the individual's First Amendment right to disrespect the American flag through expressive…

    • 1274 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    of viability, more specifically the determination of when life begins. There are several issues that…

    • 995 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Supreme Court Major Cases

    • 4278 Words
    • 18 Pages

    The constitutional issue present in the case was whether or not the Supreme Court had the authority to review acts of Congress and determine whether or not they are unconstitutional, making them void. The other Constitutional issue in the case was whether or not Congress can expand the scope the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction beyond that which is defined in Article III of the Constitution.…

    • 4278 Words
    • 18 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In my opinion, Texas v. Johnson does a better job at arguing their point. Though both articles agree that the First Amendment does cover the burning of the American flag by means of protest, American…

    • 142 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays