Young Wrexham

Law and Rights

The rules or laws that we live by in society exist to make sure that there are standards of behaviour and order in the country. By sticking to these laws, people in society receive the care and protection of the government.

This is known as a ‘social contract’, an agreement between the people and the state. Your rights are the freedoms that you have and enjoy as part of this social contract. Everyone has rights, they are protected by laws and set out a certain level of care and treatment that you can expect within society. Your rights cannot be taken away, but if a law is broken then your freedom might be as a consequence.

It is important to know and understand what the consequences are if you break the law and to what processes to follow if you become a victim of a crime.

It is also very important to know and understand what your rights are and how to exercise them.

This section provides you with information about law and rights, policing, types of crime and the consequences for breaking the law, together with your rights as a citizen.