There are four main reasons why laws are needed in society: 1) To establish a code of conduct that outlines acceptable behavior, 2) To protect the community from harm through laws against violence, vandalism, and protecting vulnerable groups like children, 3) To reflect changing social values and technological advances over time, and 4) To provide processes for resolving disputes that arise when laws are broken, such as through the police, courts, and legal system.

1. The need for laws
The main reasons we need laws
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2. Summary
There are four (4) main reasons why we need laws in our
society
1) Laws establish a code of conduct
2) Laws protect the community $om harm
3) Laws reflect changing values and circumstances
4) Resolution of disputes
Tuesday, 28 June 2011

3. Laws establish a code of conduct
Outlines boundaries of acceptable behaviour and
determine which actions wi& not be tolerated.
Drink drinking laws reflect societies attitude that placing
road users at risk through intoxication is unacceptable.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011

4. Laws protect the community
from harm
Keep community safe $om harm
Laws against violence or harm and vandalism (safe
person and property)
Laws to protect oneself (cyclists wearing helmet)
Laws to protect those that cannot protect themselves
(children)
Tuesday, 28 June 2011

5. Laws reflect changing values and
circumstances
V
alues change overtime therefore laws must also
For example homosexuality was once a criminal offence
and opening retail stores on a Sunday was i&egal.
Law must be flexible and reflect society to maintain
obedience of the law.
Advances in technology ca& for changes in laws also cyberstalking/cyberbu&ying.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011

6. Resolution of disputes
Inevitably people wi& break laws. Laws/processes need to be
in place to deal with those who break the law.
Police, presumption of innocence, investigation, trial, evidence a& of these processes have guidelines or laws to control the
resolution of disputes.
Our criminal system is designed to punish and rehabilitate
offenders, the civil system focuses on restoring back to original
state/peace.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011