The Rule of Law Are there good laws and bad laws? What makes a law good and what makes a law bad? Will the majority people benefit from the good consequences of a law. Will the people benefit from the reduction of harm as consequences of a law. Will the good consequences outweigh the costs of reduction of harm.

What makes a law good and what makes a law bad? continued Does the benefits from reducing harm outweigh the costs to the greater good in taking no action. Will the solutions negatively impact human and/or civil rights? * These are a few ways to evaluate whether a law is good of bad for society.

Two types of Law Criminal Law: rules created to control human conduct and behavior in public; criminal justice system enforces criminal laws Civil Law: laws that deal with private matters (contracts, property, private disputes, etc.)

Two types of Criminal Law Substantive - laws that define criminal behavior and punishments Procedural - laws that define how substantive laws will be enforced, judged and punished

Ideal Characteristics of Criminal Law Politically – Rules must be made by the government Specificity – Have strict definitions of what a criminal action is. Regularity – Apply to all persons, regardless of any condition. Uniformity – Enforced against any violators, regardless of their social status Penal Sanction – Has a punishment by the government.

Creating our own laws... Using the characteristics of good laws, we are going to practice writing a good criminal law for Bassett High School Qualifications: - Cannot be about a specific person Cannot have objectionable language In your table groups brainstorm, and come up with some laws - Your group will develop a powerpoint to present your BHS laws.