1. DQ1: Chapter 1: No enduring human society has existed without enforceable rules/law. What do you believe is the most important reason that this is a historical fact?
2. DQ2: Chapter 4: Stare decisis simply means that courts are expected to make decisions consistent with prior decisions by "higher" courts. "Precedent" and stare decisis have similar meanings. In our everyday lives, personal or professional, we often look to our past judgments to make consistent decisions. Can you think of an example of consistent decision-making in your own life or, if not, provide a hypothetical?
3. DQ3: Chapter 4: The legislative branch, Congress, or state legislatures, create the law. If you were a member of a legislative body, what law would you like to change or create and, in draft form, what would the language be?
4. DQ4: Legal analysis simply means applying the relevant law to the facts of the case. Please look up your home state's laws on Armed Robbery, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.529, and Robbery, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.530. Given the following fact scenario, could Bad Bart be guilty of either/both crimes? Bad Bart walks into Big Bank. He does not display any weapons but says he has a bomb strapped to his chest which he will detonate if the teller does not turn over the money in his cash door. There is no bomb, but the teller has no way to know this. Very frightened, the teller turns over all the cash in his cash drawer.
5. DQ5: Chapter 5: Over 95% of all cases, including all types, settle. Perhaps, the most important reason for this exceptional settlement rate is "discovery;" that is, in today's litigation, both sides know about the opposing party's evidence and witnesses. Therefore, an ethical and skilled attorney will do whatever is reasonable to settle the case. There are several major reasons that some cases do not settle. Can you identify one of these?