Society and Law will serve as the core text for Society and Law and/or Law and Society courses in undergraduate programs offering majors in Sociology, Criminology, and Criminal Justice. This text addresses the social context of law, the legal structure, and the relationship between law and society. Law is, first and foremost, a social phenomenon. We create laws to address social problems, settle disputes, and exert power over others. Just as society and culture are always changing, so does the law. As law evolves, it brings about changes in our culture and social structure. The goal of this text is to help undergraduate students gain an understanding of the significant role law plays in our everyday lives and in the larger society.