18.2.1 Legal and non-legal rules Our lives are governed by a wide range of rules and laws, which provide us with guidelines for how we should behave. However, not all rules are laws. Non-legal rules Non-legal rules are made by different groups within society, such as your parents, school or a sporting group. These rules are enforced by the group that made them and do not apply to the whole community. For example, your school may have rules related to wearing a uniform and the process to follow if you are out of uniform. The uniform rules and the consequences for non-compliance will be different in different schools. Legal rules Legal rules apply to everyone in the community. They are made by lawmaking bodies and enforced by the courts. For instance, people who drive cars are expected to obey the posted speed limits and stop at a red light. Under the ruleof law , any person caught disobeying the law will be punished. People who break the road laws might receive a fine. In 2021, Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was fined $200 for not wearing a face mask indoors, in a breach of New South Wales COVID-19 regulations. Members of the Victorian Parliament were issued with similar fines. 18.2.2 What are the characteristics of effective laws? Laws are not the same everywhere. They help regulate the behaviour of people within society, allowing it to function and flourish. Effective laws share five characteristics (see FIGURE 2 ).
SkillBuilder discussion Investigating contemporary civics and citizenship issues 1. Identify a law that you think is effective. 2. Explain why you think your chosen law is effective — refer to the characteristics of an effective law. 3. State the punishment for breaking this law.
FIGURE2 To be effective, laws should have the following characteristics.
Reflect society’s values
Be clear and understood
Be enforceable
Characteristics of an effective law
Be relatively stable
Be known
TOPIC18 Laws and citizens 527
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