needs of society | Definition

Doc's CJ Glossary by Adam J. McKee
Course: General Term

The needs of society in procedural law refer to the interests of the community reflected in the legal system, balancing fairness, efficiency, and accountability.


In the context of procedural law, the needs of society play a critical role in shaping the legal system’s rules and processes. One of the most important needs of society is the need to hold offenders accountable for their actions and to ensure that justice is done. This means that the legal system must be designed to effectively investigate, prosecute, and punish those who have violated the law.

To achieve this goal, the legal system must balance the needs of society with the protection of individual rights. This balancing act is often done through a complex set of procedural rules and processes that are designed to promote the public good while respecting individual rights.

One key concept in this balancing act is the idea of due process. Due process is a fundamental right that ensures that individuals are given notice and an opportunity to be heard before any adverse action is taken against them. This means that individuals have the right to a fair trial, the right to legal representation, and the right to confront their accusers.

Another important concept in this balancing act is the need for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the legal system. While due process is essential, legal proceedings can be time-consuming and expensive. To balance this need for efficiency with the need for fairness and impartiality, the legal system may use alternative dispute resolution methods, such as mediation and arbitration, to resolve disputes outside of the court system.

Transparency and accountability are also important concepts in the balancing act between the needs of society and individual rights. These concepts ensure that the actions and decisions of legal professionals are subject to scrutiny and review and that there are mechanisms in place to address any abuses of power or breaches of professional conduct. In this way, society can have confidence in the legal system’s ability to deliver justice.

Finally, the legal system must also take into account the need for accessibility and affordability. The legal system must be designed to facilitate access to justice for all members of society, regardless of their social or economic status. This means that the procedural rules must be designed to ensure that individuals who cannot afford legal representation are provided with assistance.


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Last Modified: 04/27/2023

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