Purpose of Law

In a civil society, law is required to maintain order and to establish what personal behavior and business practices are right or wrong based on a society’s values and circumstances. Our legal system affects everyone who lives and does business in the United States. The smooth functioning of society depends on the law, which protects the rights of people and businesses. The law defines which actions are allowed or banned and regulates some practices. The legal system both shapes and is shaped by political, economic, and social systems. 

Most people understand (and accept) laws prohibiting acts of murder, theft, physical harm, and financial fraud. These types of law both maintain order by limiting harmful behavior but also protect the rights of individuals who could be victimized. To get a driver’s license, you have to demonstrate that you know and can follow laws that establish standards for safe driving which protects other people from unfortunate accidents. Laws that set up our court system help maintain order by providing a place that can settle disputes between people and businesses. You can see that the purposes of law overlap one another.