A BACKGROUND DISCUSSION OF THE NATURE OF THE LAW EXPLORES THE SOURCES AND LEGITIMACY OF THE U.S. LEGAL CODE. AN ANALYSIS OF SEVERAL FUNCTIONS OF THE LAW INCLUDES INVESTIGATIONS OF FOUR ROLES: (1) PREVENTION AND SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES: (2) ENFORCEMENT OF STANDARDS OF SOCIAL BEHAVIOR; (3) ESTABLISHMENT OF RELATIONS BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AND SOCIETY; AND (4) ALLOCATION OF SOCIAL RESOURCES. THE VARIOUS TYPES OF LAW -- COMMON LAW, CIVIL LAW, STATUTORY LAW, ETC. -- ARE DESCRIBED. AN EXPLANATION AND DESCRIPTION OF THE COURT SYSTEM TRACES ITS STRUCTURE FROM THE SUPREME COURT DOWN TO STATE AND LOCAL COURTS AND INDIVIDUAL JUDGESHIPS. A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF THE 'LEGAL FRATERNITY' DISCUSSES LEGAL EDUCATION, PRACTICE OF LAW, THE BAR, AND THE REPUTATION OF THE LEGAL PROFESSION. THE NATURE OF CONTRACTS IS EXPLORED AND ILLUSTRATED BY A SAMPLE CONTRACT INVOLVED IN THE PURCHASE OF AN AUTOMOBILE. A CHAPTER ON LAWMAKERS AND LEGISLATIVE BODIES INCLUDES A CASE STUDY OF A VILLAGE ZONING ORDINANCE. THE JUDICIAL PROCESS IS DESCRIBED, TRACING THE TYPICAL PATH OF A DEFENDANT THROUGH THE SYSTEM, FROM ARREST THROUGH SENTENCING. A SAMPLE CIVIL CASE DEALING WITH AN EVICTION NOTICE IS PRESENTED. A CASE DEALING WITH WELFARE LAW SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF LAW AS IT RELATES TO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES. THE CONCLUDING CHAPTER DISCUSSES THE WAYS IN WHICH THE PUBLIC CAN INFLUENCE EXISTING LAWS, LEGISLATURES, ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES, AND THE COURTS. NEW AREAS OF PUBLIC CONCERN, SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, RIGHT TO PRIVACY, AND CONSUMER LAW, ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. A GUIDE TO FURTHER READING AND AN INDEX ARE PROVIDED.