Kate Finnin, Enh2
The Importance of Law in Our Society
What is the importance of law today? In order to establish this we must first establish what the point of law is. Law and order is essential in all communities. In an orderly law-abiding community people can plan ahead, work in safety and do business in trust. In most modern societies order means stability. The guarantees of this order take place in the form of laws. Laws are rules and customs that the citizens of a community regard as binding upon them and can be enforced by the courts. Laws provide boundaries so that people realise where and when they are committing an offence.
One of the principal objects of the law is to safeguard the rights of citizens, us. Our basic rights are what give us our freedom in daily life. The freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial, personal freedom etc, these are all outlined in the Republic of Irelands written constitution, which protects us, the people here today. Try to imagine the limitations we would have if we were stripped of these rights. I might not be allowed stand here in front of you if I did not have the freedom of speech, you might not be allowed here today if you did not have personal freedom. Just this aspect of the law alone provides us with so much that we take for granted. We also take justice for granted we fail to realise, between our complaining, that we can receive closure when the law and the courts do their job. We have all experienced the loss of a loved one. Try to remember that grief. Now try to add the anger one would feel if that person was brutally murdered. It’s unfathomable, isn’t it? Everyday people go through that pain and anger and everyday they are relieved from the worry and fear of thinking that their son’s or daughter’s or mother’s murderer is still out there when justice prevails.
