Law is the most powerful formal, means of social control in the modem society. It is an indispensable part of the modem social life. Laws appear only in societies where a political organization called “Government” is found.

According to J.S. Roucek “Laws are a form of social rule emanating from political agencies”

Characteristics: 

• Laws are the general condition of human activity prescribed by the state for its members. 
• Law is called law, only if enacted by a proper law making authority. Hence it is a product of conscious thought deliberate attempts and careful planning. 
• Law is written definite, clear, precise and unambiguous. 
• Law applies equally to all without exception in identical circumstances.
• Violation of law is followed by penalties and punishments determined by the authority of the state. 
• Laws are always written down and recorded. 
• Laws are not the result of voluntary consent of persons against whom they are directed.

Laws a dynamic and subject to change. Law is not a static body of rules handed down from generation to generation. Rather, it reflects continually changing standards of what is right and wrong of how violations are to be determined, and of what sanctions are to be applied.

Laws differ from country to country. Though the outward pattern of the legal system to be same every where the content of laws often differ significantly.