1. Historical Perspectives on Law
Early Legal Codes

2. Our legal code today…
Our legal system has its origins in earlier surviving legal codes and writings
Ancient codes contain more extreme punishments for crimes that today are considered not as serious (trespassing, bribery, stealing)

3. Laws did not apply equally to everyone in society:
The severity of your punishment depended on your status in society
Women had little or no legal status in these societies
Women and children considered property; could be sold via contracts.

4. The wording in these codes is very descriptive:
Every possible legal transgression was accounted for
Why?
Since no permanent judges or juries existed, interpretation could not be left up to any individual
If a crime was not accounted for in the law, the accused was not charged

5. Similarities: Today’s Codes vs. Ancient Codes
Acts that constitute crimes (murder, rape, theft etc.) are still punished today
Concepts and ideas around civil law (compensation) have still remained in our justice system
All modern legal codes have been influenced by the ancient codes