Legal Rights & Responsibilities

Business Law

Differentiate between ethical and legal behavior.

Compare ethical practices and legal behaviors.

Examine ethical dilemmas in business and in law.

Last Class…

Identify the legal rights & responsibilities of citizens/non-citizens.◦ Define citizens and identify examples of non-

citizens.◦ Differentiate between legal and illegal

immigrants.◦ Describe the legal rights of citizens and non-

citizens.◦ Describe the legal responsibilities of citizens and

non-citizens. Compare the legal rights and responsibilities of

minors and adults.◦ Identify the age of majority.◦ Understand examples of rights afforded to adults

but not extended to minors.

Today’s Objectives

U.S. Citizens

Born in the United States

Born to parents who are U.S. citizens

What makes you a citizen?

Enjoy all freedoms, protections, and legal rights promised by the Constitution

Citizens of the United States

People from foreign countries can become U.S. citizens through the naturalization process.

People who were not born as citizens but who become citizens are known as naturalized citizens.

Becoming a Citizen

Be at least 18 years old Live in the U.S. as a legal resident for at

least 5 years Be of good moral character and loyal to the

U.S. Be able to read, write, speak, & understand

basic English Have basic knowledge and understanding of

the history, government, and Constitution of the U.S.

Be willing to take an oath of allegiance to the U.S.

Requirements to Becoming a Citizen

1. Non-citizens file an application

2. Take a naturalization examination

3. Appear for a court hearing

The Naturalization Process

Non-Citizens

Aliens – people who are permanent residents of a country but do not hold citizenship

Nationals – natives of American territories

Non-Citizens include…

Emigrated from a foreign country and legally reside in the U.S. with a green card

Receive the same treatment of citizens with regard to the “inalienable rights” of the Constitution

Green cards are for…◦Adoption◦Employment◦Investment◦Marriage◦Relative

Resident Aliens

Receive the following rights as long as they do not interfere with national security, public safety, U.S. laws, customs of citizens◦Leave country◦Expression / assembly◦Work & own property◦Bring spouse or dependent children to

U.S. from another country◦Social services, education, social security

No political (voting) rights

Alien Rights

Live in U.S. territories

Do not have full political rights

Enjoy all legal protections afforded to citizens

Nationals & their Rights

Aliens who have entered the United States without government permission or stayed beyond the termination date of a visa (green card)

Subject to deportation

Illegal Immigrants

Minors vs. Adults

A minor is a person who has not yet reached the age of adulthood.

The age of majority is 18 in most states.◦Age 19 in Alabama & Nebraska◦Age 21 in Mississippi, Pennsylvania, and

Puerto Rico An emancipated minor is one who is no

longer under the legal control of his or her parents.◦Automatically emancipated if married or

independent Minors who claim to be adults are committing

fraud.

Who is considered a minor?

Driving is a privilege, not a right.◦Must be earned

then kept under conditions of good behavior

◦Usually states will not permit licensure under the age of 16

Minors as Students◦May be searched in

school if officials have reason to suspect the law or a school rule has been broken

◦Freedom of speech/expression may be restrained in school-sponsored settings

Rights and Duties of Minors

Rights of Adults…but not Minors

Juvenile courts deal with offenders who are minors.

Most juvenile matters are sealed (not open to the general public).

Hearings are often more informal.

No right to a trial by jury

No right to be released on bail

May be convicted as an adult if there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt

Minors & the Law

Minors may not possess alcohol.◦Zero-tolerance in

most states◦Must be 21 or

older Minors may not possess tobacco products.◦Usually granted

by age of majority (which is 18 in most states)

Possession

Vary from state to state

Minors may not use cell phones while driving

In Virginia, minors must follow laws pertaining to the number of passengers in the vehicle.

Driving Privileges

Contracts made by minors are voidable by the minor.

For this reason, minors are usually not allowed to enter into contracts.

Contracts