Rules,-Laws,-and-Consequences
Rules, Laws, and Consequences
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Modern Britain
Lesson duration is: 10 minItems in this lesson
Rules, Laws, and Consequences
Navigating the Legal Landscape of Modern Britain
Learning Objectives
Understand the difference between rules, moral codes, and laws.
Explore how UK laws are made and the distinction between civil and criminal law.
Define the powers of the police and your rights during stop and search.
Examine the court structure and the different purposes of sentencing.
Evaluate the long-term impact of a criminal record on life chances.
How would you rate your knowledge on this topic?
What rules do we have at WS Training?
What is the difference between rules, moral codes, and laws?
Rules vs. Laws: What's the Difference?
Social Rules
Informal agreements governing group behaviour (e.g., no phones at dinner). Breaking these results in social disapproval.
Moral Codes
Personal or religious beliefs about 'right' and 'wrong'. These guide conscience but are not always legally enforceable.
Legal Requirements
Formal state rules applying to everyone. Backed by courts, they provide a framework for a safe, functioning society.
Term Check
1.
Mandatory
2.
Sanction
3.
Ethics
4.
Statute
a)
Moral principles that govern a person's behaviour.
b)
A penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
c)
Required by law or a rule; compulsory.
d)
A written law passed by a legislative body like Parliament.
Term Check
✅
1.
Mandatory
2.
Sanction
3.
Ethics
4.
Statute
c)
Required by law or a rule; compulsory.
b)
A penalty for disobeying a law or rule.
a)
Moral principles that govern a person's behaviour.
d)
A written law passed by a legislative body like Parliament.
How Laws are Made: Parliamentary Process
Most laws in the UK begin as a Bill in the House of Commons or the House of Lords.
Life of a Bill
Green Paper: Public consultation.
White Paper: Formal government proposals.
Readings: Debates and votes in both Houses.
Committee Stage: Line-by-line scrutiny.
Royal Assent: The Monarch signs the Bill, making it an Act of Parliament.
Have you ever been in a court room?
Yes
No
What is the difference between a criminal court and a civil court?
Criminal vs. Civil Law
Criminal law deals with offences against the state; Civil law handles disputes between individuals.
Distinguishing the Two Systems
Criminal Law
Maintain order and punish offenders. Cases are brought by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The standard of proof is 'Beyond reasonable doubt'.
Civil Law
Settle disputes and provide compensation. Cases are brought by a Claimant against a Defendant. The standard of proof is lower: 'On the balance of probabilities'.
The Standard of Proof
What is the requirement for a jury to find someone guilty in a criminal court?
1.
They probably did it (over 50% sure)
2.
Beyond reasonable doubt
3.
The judge says they are guilty
4.
On the balance of probabilities
Answers on the next slide...
The Standard of Proof
What is the requirement for a jury to find someone guilty in a criminal court?
1.
They probably did it (over 50% sure)
2.
Beyond reasonable doubt
👍
3.
The judge says they are guilty
4.
On the balance of probabilities
✅
Police Powers: The PACE Act
The Police and Criminal Evidence Act (1984) outlines how the police can interact with the public.
Key Powers
Stop and Search: Must have 'reasonable grounds' to suspect you have illegal items (drugs, weapons, stolen goods).
Arrest: If they suspect you have committed, are committing, or are about to commit an offence.
Detention: Limits on how long you can be held without charge (usually 24 hours).
Your Rights During Stop & Search
1
G.O.W.I.S.E.
G.O.W.I.S.E.: Officers must state Grounds, Object, Warrant, Identity, Station, and Entitlement to a record.
2
Reasonable Grounds
Search cannot be based on personal factors like age, race, or clothing alone.
3
The Search
In public, police can only ask you to remove 'J.O.G.' (Jacket, Outer coat, Gloves).
What did you learn from the video?
Police Authority
An officer in plain clothes does not have to show you their ID before searching you.
👍
TRUE
👎
FALSE
Now it's time to explain why...
Police Authority
An officer in plain clothes does not have to show you their ID before searching you.
👎
Why is that?
a) Plain clothes officers must always show their warrant card to prove their identity and authority.
b) Showing ID is optional as the search takes priority over paperwork.
Answers on the next slide...
Police Authority
An officer in plain clothes does not have to show you their ID before searching you.
👎
✅
Why is that?
a) Plain clothes officers must always show their warrant card to prove their identity and authority. ✅
b) Showing ID is optional as the search takes priority over paperwork.
Place these in order for the highest court to the lowest
The Court Hierarchy in England and Wales
Magistrates' vs. Crown Court
Magistrates' Court: Deals with 95% of cases. Trials are heard by three volunteers (Magistrates) or a District Judge. No jury.
Crown Court: Deals with serious 'indictable' offences like robbery. Trials are heard by a Judge and a Jury of 12 citizens.
Why do we punish people?
Why do we punish people?
Retribution
'An eye for an eye'. Punishing the offender to get justice for the victim.
Deterrence
Stopping the offender (individual) or the public (general) from committing crimes through fear of the consequences.
Rehabilitation
Helping the offender change their behaviour and reintegrate into society (e.g., drug treatment, education).
Other Aims of Sentencing
Protection of the Public
Keeping dangerous people away from society (e.g., prison sentences).
Reparation
Making amends to the victim or community, such as through unpaid work (Community Payback).
Denunciation
Showing that society strongly disapproves of the behaviour.
Severity of Sentencing
Order these sentences from least severe to most severe.
Custodial Sentence (Prison)
Community Order
Absolute Discharge
Conditional Discharge
Answers on the next slide...
Severity of Sentencing
Order these sentences from least severe to most severe.
Absolute Discharge
1.
Conditional Discharge
2.
Community Order
3.
Custodial Sentence (Prison)
4.
✅
How can a criminal record affect your life?
The Reality of a Criminal Record
A criminal record is a permanent entry on the National Computer.
This can follow you for the rest of your life, affecting your career and freedom.
Employment Consequences
DBS Checks
Many employers use the Disclosure and Barring Service to check your history.
Standard Checks: Reveal spent and unspent convictions.
Enhanced Checks: Required for working with children, elderly, or in healthcare.
Career Blockers
Some professions (Law, Medicine, Teaching, Finance) are virtually impossible to enter with a serious criminal record.
Travel and Visas
A conviction can limit your ability to travel the world.
Strict Entry Requirements
Countries like the USA, Australia, and Canada have strict entry rules. Even a minor drug offence from your teens can lead to a permanent visa ban.
Electronic Travel Authorisation
You must declare convictions when applying for travel permits. Lying on these forms is a separate crime.
The 'Second Chance' Debate
Should a person's criminal record from when they were 16 be wiped clean once they turn 21 if they haven't committed any more crimes?
The 'Second Chance' Debate
You might have said...
It allows youth to move on from mistakes without lifelong punishment.
It might undermine the deterrent effect of the law.
Safety-sensitive jobs still need to know a person's history.
It promotes rehabilitation over retribution.
✅
Knowledge Retrieval
Question 1:
Which court deals with the most serious criminal cases like murder?
Question 2:
What does the 'O' in the police G.O.W.I.S.E acronym stand for?
Question 3:
What is the name of the final stage where the Monarch signs a Bill into law?
Answers on the next slide...
Knowledge Retrieval
✅
Answer 1:
The Crown Court.
Answer 2:
Object (of the search).
Answer 3:
Royal Assent.
Drag and Drop
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Scenario Analysis
In small groups, imagine you are a Magistrate. A 17-year-old has been caught spray-painting a local park. They have no prior convictions.
Decide on a purpose for your sentence (e.g., Reparation vs. Deterrence).
Choose an appropriate sentence type and justify why it fits the crime.
Enter your question here
Life sentence in prison
Fine
Conditional charge
Summary: Law and Responsibility
Today we have explored how laws are not just rules, but a framework that protects and binds us.
Legal Awareness: Knowing your rights with the police is vital.
Process: Acts of Parliament and the Court Hierarchy ensure a structured justice system.
Futures: Every action has a consequence that can echo years into your professional and personal life.
Final Thought
Once a person's prison sentence is finished, all consequences of their crime are legally over.
👍
TRUE
👎
FALSE
Answers on the next slide...
Final Thought
Once a person's prison sentence is finished, all consequences of their crime are legally over.
✅
👎
FALSE
Criminal records persist and can affect employment, insurance, and travel for many years, often long after the sentence is served.
What is the purpose of rules?
To confuse people
To limit freedom
To promote chaos
To maintain order and safety
What can result from breaking a law?
Legal consequences or penalties
Better social standing
Free gifts
Increased popularity
Who enforces the laws?
Teachers
Law enforcement agencies
Parents
Friends
What is an example of a consequence?
Fines or imprisonment
An award
A compliment
A birthday party
Why do we have laws?
To punish everyone equally
To restrict creativity
To create more problems
To protect citizens' rights
