Laws and Ethics

Laws are a set of rules that regulate behavior in society. the government or authority in power enforces these universal rule that ensures communities and individuals follows the will of the state the laws shape in different ways the economy, history, politics, and society (Paul and Elder 12). They serve to mediate relationships between individuals.

                  Ethics are systems of moral principles that affect decision making in the lives of individuals (Banks 13). The branch of philosophy systematizes, defend and recommend important elements in determining right or wrong. Ethics define concepts of evil and good, vice, virtue and crime.

Laws reflect ethics in the society

                  Fundamentally, laws are a reflection of the ethical and moral standards of a civilized society. The legal instruments are forms of discourse that indicate interests and value. The legal system intends to be value-laden to allow order (Perez 1). Duties and rights stipulated in the laws are based on ethical decision making thus set or uphold a normative standard. Therefore, it determines the universally or acceptable and desirable behavior in the society.

A state or federal criminal or tariff status that reflects an ethical standard

Bribery of Public Officials Prohibited - 18 U.S.C. § 201

                  The law does not allow public servants to receive valuables exchange for the performance or non-performance of official duties (Departmental Ethics Office). It includes giving testimonies or motive to defraud. In Subpart B of this law makes it illegal to accept or solicit gifts, money or valuable items from individuals or entities seeking official actions. The law seeks to stop employees from influencing or being influenced to perform or underperform during execution of duties.  The law applies to Federal employees and non-compliance attracts criminal penalties.  They serve as the basis for ethical conduct.

A federal law that does not reflect an ethical standard

                  No Child is Left behind Act is a federal law that intends to avail funds to children in need of extra educational assistance (Pub.L. 107–110, 115 Stat. 1425. 2002). The disadvantaged students need to improve their academic. The law required the states to come up with basic skills students require to achieve the educational goals.

                  The law has no connection to ethical conduct requirements for neither teachers nor education departments. 

Unethical behavior that is not illegal

                  The capitalist societies allow charging prices that are too high for products. the prices may not necessarily reflect the cost of production. The price is given the tag ‘value’ for the seller to remain in business.  A company may incur 2 dollars in producing one unit but sell it at 10 dollars. It hails the price the value to stockholders. Conversely, if a person took the 8 dollars by coercion or force a crime is committed. The Company’s behavior is legal but unethical.  Capitalism may encourage unethical conduct in the name of making profits.

A law that once existed that was contrary to ethical standards

                  Jim craw laws intended to separate the white form black community. It established a separate legal system, public school, and amenities. The law was dehumanizing to the people of color. In Plessey v. Fergusson of 1896, the Supreme Court held that American citizens were separate but equal. The African American community moved to court to challenge the decision. In 1954, the Supreme Court reversed the 1886 decision in Brown v Board of education of Topeka. It was unconstitutional to have separate schools and public places. The Civil Rights Movement for equality and be allowed to vote (Newman 134). The legislature passed the Equal rights Act of 1964 that banned employment discrimination based on color, national origin, religion, and race. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 overcame legal barriers to allow African-Americans to vote in general elections signed by President Lyndon Johnson.

Criminal statute prohibiting specific conduct that needs repealing

                  The Alabama state has a law illegalizing homosexuality. The state has a curriculum and other programs from a health perspective decriminalize homosexuality. It is a criminal offense under the Alabama state laws to engage in such activities. The law needs to be repealed to stop further stigmatization of people expressing themselves as LGBTQ (Lesbians, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer) individuals. They have a right to state their sexual orientation. 

Work Cited

Departmental Ethics Office. Government-Wide Ethics Laws: Bribery of Public Officials Prohibited - 18 U.S.C. § 201. https://www.justice.gov/jm/criminal-resource-manual-2041-bribery-public-officials Accessed on 15 December 2018

Paul, Richard, and Linda Elder. The Miniature Guide to Understanding the Foundations of Ethical Reasoning. Dillon Beach, Calif: Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2009. Print.

Banks, Cyndi. Criminal Justice Ethics: Theory and Practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications, 2013. Print.

Newman, Mark. The Civil Rights Movement. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 2010. Print.

Pub.L. 107–110, 115 Stat. 1425, enacted January 8, 2002

Perez, Arturo. Ethics vs Morals vs Law. Linkeldin, 4 Aug. 2017,   https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ethics-vs-morals-law-dr-arturo-perez Accessed on 15 December 2018