CRIM 135 Lecture 1: (1) Role of Law
Document Summary
Chapter 1: the role and origin of law. Law- skeleton that structures our economic, social and political lives. Law, at its most basic, is a set of rules of conduct established by elected government members. Barometer of our nations view of human relations. Reflects the movement of political figures and changing social mores: characteristic or essential customs and conventions of a community. Our attitudes toward law define us as citizens of our society: politically, economically and morally. Law is often used interchangeably with justice: logical error. Laws = codified rules (written: our sense of moral rightness intense reactions (not everyone agrees) Justice contains more personal judgment, an emotional element, and is heavily influenced by one"s personal background. Law is the same for everyone and therefore can be extremely controversial and arouse: to give each man his due the idea of legal fairness.