Street Law What is law?

Definition: The rules and regulations made and enforced by the government that regulate the conduct of people within a society. Added Info: Rule of law is the concept that the rules by which we are governed be known in advance and created through democratic processes. No one can be placed above it. Examples: Code of Hammurabi The Ten Commandments Constitution Image: Law

Laws & values Not everything that is immoral is illegal, can you think of anything that fits this? Not all laws are fair or even good, can you think of some examples?

Expectations of our legal system Protect basic human rights torture, slavery, human trafficking Promote fairness Grandfather Clauses Helping resolve conflicts Jury trials Promoting order & stability Traffic laws

Expectations of our legal system 5. Promoting desirable social & economic behavior Insider trading 6. Representing the will of the majority Prohibition 7. Protecting the rights of the minority Non-discrimination laws, Americans with Disabilities Act (1990)

The value of our laws Moral values deal with fundamental questions of right or wrong. Murder and theft Economic values deal with the accumulation and distribution of wealth. Social security, taxes

The value of our laws (cont.) Political values reflect the relationship between government & individuals Voting laws, recall Social values concern issues that are important to society. Free public education, Title IX

Activity For each of the examples name whether moral, political, economic, or social values are involved. All drivers must stop at stop signs Cheating on your taxes is a crime All citizens may vote at age 18 Government programs lend money to minority-owned businesses at low interest rates Government officials may not accept gifts from people who want them to pass certain laws Possession of marijuana is a crime