Role and Functions of Law Paper

Introduction

“Law plays a significant role in the successful operation of business and society. Laws regulate social behavior. Laws also supply ethical standards and expectations (Melissa Bushman 2007, Para 1).” Every country has its laws to regulate its citizen and its policy. Laws impact everything in our life. Sometimes laws are common sense, so people know it, and follow it. Such as, there are speed limits on the road, when we are driving, we cannot speeding. We have to pay the taxes to the government. And we cannot take anything that does not belong to us which means stealing. Those three examples are the common sense laws. But sometimes we are not aware of them. Such as business laws, business to business, business to customer. If something happen in the business, the law will protect us from commercial disputes.

What is law?

Law has been defined in many ways throughout history. According to the book, the legal environment of business, law is defined as: “a body of rules of action or conduct prescribed

by controlling authority, and having legal binding force (Melvin 2011, Ch.1).” So, law is the country’s rule and regulations that help government to conduct the country, dealing with disputes, and coping with criminal events. In general, laws protect individual and business’ right, when bad things happen, people or business can have compensation from the people who hurts them.

Role of law

The law is one of important roles in business and society. In United States, there are too many different laws. To help people to understand American law, it breaks down into three categories: Criminal Law versus Civil Law, Substantive Law versus Procedural Law, and Public Law versus Private Law.

Criminal law protects our society, the result of violation of criminal laws are pay the fine or have imprisonment. Civil law is designed to pay compensation to the parties for losses. For example, Kate drove her car back to home after she was drank, and caused car accident that hurts Arroyo. Kate was not only to pay the fine for violating the Criminal laws which is DUI, but also paid the medical bill for Arroyo; because Arroyo got hurts by the car accident which is Kate violated the Civil law.

Substantive law provides individuals with social rights and duties. Procedural law provides