What Are the Different Types of Law? (with pictures)

What do you need for Criminal Law?

I have a question: what is the difference between laws that forbid things like rape and murder, and laws that for example, says you have to drive on the right side of the road, instead of the left side? Basically the first kind of laws deal with people’s inborn sense of what’s right and what’s wrong, and the second kind that deals with things that people need to be told.

I wasn’t clear on exactly what tort law was, so I looked it up and I’ll share a little about it.

A tort is an action against someone else that involves some kind of damage to them – it can be physical damage or damage to their reputation, or economic damage. If you are just fooling around with a baseball bat and hit someone and injure them, the injured person can sue you for a negligence tort.

If you write messages on the internet that ruin someone’s reputation, you will probably be sued and this is intentional tort. You did it on purpose.

With new innovations being made in our society, the categories and lists of laws is continually being added to.

At one time, many lawyers were general practice and could handle just about any kind of case. Now, it seems that the majority of attorneys specialize in certain area.

Of course, the internet and all the new technology has brought about a whole new set of laws. Laws governing the protection of our environment like disposal of various waste products is ever expanding.

I think we are going to need more and more well trained lawyers to handle all the new laws.

@starrynight – I think digital law might already be a recognized type of law. I know there are several famous laws that have to do with digital media. I think the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is probably the most famous.

This act covers piracy on the Internet, as well as digital copyright. Obviously before the Internet was invented there was no need for a law like this!

Also, I know there are certain laws that cover cyberstalking. Again, this wouldn’t have been necessary before the invention of the Internet!

I find it interesting how many different types of law there are. However, I think they’re all totally necessary.

There definitely needs to be separate aviation laws, for sure. I’m sure things happen in this sector that aren’t covered by other laws.

I’m also anxious to see how some new types of laws might evolve in the future regarding the Internet and other new technologies.