Law Merit Badge

Law
Merit badge requirements
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  1. Define "Law." Tell some of its sources. Describe functions it serves.

  2. Discuss two of the following:

    1. The Justinian Code, The Code of Hammurabi, and the Magna Carta.
    2. The development of the jury system.
    3. Two famous trials in history.

  3. Tell what civil law is; criminal law. Tell the main differences between them. Give examples of each.

  4. Ask five people (not more than one from your immediate family) about the role of law enforcement officers in our society. Discuss their answers with them. Go to a law enforcement officer in your neighborhood and ask him about his responsibilities and duties. Report your findings.

  5. Tell what a contract is. Must all contracts be in writing? Explain. Tell about several laws that have been passed to protect the consumer and the seller. Tell about several organizations there are to help them.

  6. Do ONE of the following:

    1. Attend a session of a civil or criminal court. Write 250 words or more on what you saw.
    2. Plan and conduct a mock trial with your troop or school class. After the trial is over, discuss it with the group.

  7. Arrange a visit with a lawyer who works for a business, bank, title company, or government.* Find out his duties and responsibilities. Report what you learned.

  8. Explain the requirements for becoming a lawyer in your state. Describe how judges are selected in your state.

  9. Make a list of 15 jobs which deal with some aspect of law or legal processes. Tell which you prefer. Why?

  10. Tell where a person can go if he needs the help of a lawyer but is unable to pay for one. Tell what he can do if he can afford a lawyer but does not know of any in his area.

    * If it is impossible for your to arrange such a visit, discuss with your counselor the duties and responsibilities of a lawyer who works for one of the groups listed.

Merit badge requirements courtesy of Troop 586 Farmington