Firearm law is the combination of laws, regulations and public policy that govern the manufacture, distribution and sale of firearms in the United States. Although the basic rule is that guns are legal in the United States, there are exceptions to the rule, and firearm law remains controversial. Firearm law says who can make or buy a gun and under what circumstances. Firearm laws exist in the United States at both the federal and state levels. The Second Amendment The right to (…)
A Juris Doctor or doctor of Jurisprudence is commonly called a J.D. and is the degree that an individual earns when they successfully complete law school. The degree is required in every state except for California in order to practice law. California allows a person the option of a law office study degree as opposed to the Juris Doctor. Once completing law school and getting a law degree, the Juris Doctor a person can then sit for the bar examination and (…)
Civil rights law is the area of law that gives people in society the right to be free from certain types of discrimination. It’s the area of law that gives people the right to equal and fair treatment in society. Civil rights law creates protected classes of people. It gives people in these classes the protection of the law when others try to discriminate against them based on the class characteristic. What are civil rights laws? Civil rights laws are (…)
DUI (driving under the influence) and DWI (driving while impaired) law is the body of law that makes up criminal drunk driving and impaired driving charges. Any law that penalizes driving under the influence or driving with an unlawful bodily content of alcohol or drugs is a DUI / DWI law. DUI / DWI law involves both prosecuting and defending against cases of drunk driving. There are several ways to be a drunk driver In all 50 U.S. states, DUI / (…)
Banking law is the broad term for laws that govern how banks and other financial institutions conduct business. Banks must comply with a myriad of federal, state and even local regulations. Lawyers perform a wide variety of functions that relate to creating, following and enforcing regulations. Multiple federal agencies oversee banking regulations. A bank or other financial institution might fall under regulations of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Reserve System or the Office of the Comptroller of (…)
International trade law is the set of laws and agreements that govern commerce between countries. International trade laws create the rules that countries and businesses must follow in order to do business across borders. Lawyers who work in the field help create international agreements. They also educate businesses about what they need to do in order to comply with rules and regulations for international trade. International trade law is federal law The U.S. government has exclusive authority to create international (…)
Constitutional law is the law that relates to interpreting, implementing and amending the United States constitution and the constitutions of the 50 states. It is an area of law that focuses on what the constitution says, what it means and what its limitations are. As social and political issues change and develop in the United States, attorneys who practice constitutional law bring these issues to the courts to ask for clarification about the meaning, interpretation and enforcement of the constitution. (…)
Computer law encompasses all of the laws that relate to the transfer, use and storage of electronic information. Basically, it’s any law that has to do with computers and other electronic devices that store information. Computer law includes a wide range of topics including security, private property rights and even constitutional law. Contracts When you buy a computer, sign up for an account on a website or even complete a credit application online, you have to check the box that (…)
Construction law is the combination of all of the areas of law that apply to construction work. The process of building is complex. Builders have to follow a large number of rules and regulations. There are many things that they need to know and do before they ever pour the first bit of cement or clear the first tree. People in the construction industry have to work with private entities and government representatives in order to conduct business. They must (…)
The purpose of health and safety laws is to protect the welfare, health, and safety of the public in general. Some sections of the population such as employees are protected under the health and safety laws that have been put in place. Typically, a civil law system is in place that will cover most health and safety laws. The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 says that employers are responsible for making sure that all their employees are safe (…)
The outlook for law enforcement careers is bright, meaning occupations are expected to have a large number of job openings over the next several years (243,900 new job openings projected 2012-2022). There are many types of law enforcement careers an individual may pursue. The three basic types of jobs in law enforcement are investigators, uniformed officers, and support positions. These jobs are available at the local, state, and federal levels. Uniformed Officers A uniformed police officer has general duties that (…)
Entertainment law is the collection of the many areas of law that impact the entertainment industry. Entertainment law is the sum total of several different types of law that are relevant to the entertainment industry including transactional law and litigation. Laws that impact the entertainment industry include federal and state laws, rules created by government agencies and common law legal precedent created by the courts. Entertainment law impacts not only the talent that performs in the entertainment industry but also the production aspects (…)
Oil and gas law is the area of law that governs oil and gas production. Oil and gas laws determine who owns the right to mine for oil and gas. It determines what conditions miners have to follow when they harvest oil and gas. The field of oil and gas law is a mix of common law, statutory law and administrative regulations that govern the mining and harvesting of these natural resources in the United States. What are oil and gas (…)
A coroner is an individual who directs activities such as autopsies, pathological and toxicological analyses, and inquests relating to the investigation of deaths occurring within a legal jurisdiction to determine cause of death or to fix responsibility for accidental, violent, or unexplained deaths. Coroners are often the person that makes the decision to initiate an investigation if they determine the cause of death to be questionable. There are some areas that allow coroners the authorization to issue a subpoena and (…)
Derivatives and futures law is the collection of laws that regulate trading in derivatives and futures. Derivatives and futures law involves regulations. It also involves compliance. Practicing derivatives and futures law requires identifying applicable laws and regulations, creating a compliance plan and helping clients negotiate business transactions. Attorneys in the area of law may also help their clients defend against enforcement actions. What are futures and derivatives? A derivative or future is a financial contract where the value of the (…)
Immigration law is the combination of laws, rules and regulations that govern who can enter a country. Immigration and naturalization are two different things. Immigration governs who can come and go from a country. Naturalization controls who can become a citizen. However, they’re interrelated topics. Attorneys who practice immigration law usually have a practice that encompasses both immigration and naturalization. Where Do Immigration Laws Come From? In the United States, immigration laws exist on a national level. The U.S. President has significant control over (…)
Family law is the area of law that addresses family relationships. It includes creating family relationships and breaking them through divorce and termination of parental rights. Family law addresses adoption, contested custody of children and the child support obligations that result. Because family law is the practice of law that relates to relationships and children, it can be one of the most emotional areas of law. Family lawyers are involved in very personal aspects of their client’s lives. Family law practice (…)
Administrative law is the body of law and legal work that deals with government agencies. Lawmakers create government agencies to carry out laws and administer the functions of government. These agencies create, implement and enforce regulations. All of the work that goes into these activities falls under the category of administrative law. Administrative law is a diverse area of law The term administrative law is a broad term that encompasses many different types of law. A lawyer that practices administrative (…)
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA.gov), the DEA is the premier drug enforcement organization in the world and the only single mission federal agency dedicated to drug law enforcement. Using unique operational and intelligence capabilities, the men and women of DEA identify, investigate, disrupt, and dismantle major drug trafficking organizations and those who facilitate them, remove drugs and violent criminals from our neighborhoods, and fight the diversion of licit drugs. For those that are interested in working for the Drug (…)
Law plays an important role in the public health care system. A public health official has many responsibilities and legal rights when protecting and promoting their community’s health. There are three areas associated with public health law, law of populations, prevention of disease and injury, and police power. Public health law is a field that focuses legal practice, scholarship and advocacy on issues involving the government’s legal authorities and duties “to ensure the conditions for people to be healthy,” and (…)