Scouting/BSA/Law Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

Requirement 1

Define "law." Tell some of its sources. Describe functions it serves.

Requirement 2

Discuss TWO of the following:

A. Justinian’s Code, The Code of Hammurabi, and the Magna Carta.

B. The development of the jury system.

C. Two famous trials in history.

Requirement 3

Tell what civil law is; tell what criminal law is. Tell the main differences between them. Give examples of each.

Requirement 4

Ask five people (not more than one from your immediate family) about the role of law enforcement officers in our society. Discuss their answers with them. Go to a law enforcement officer in your neighborhood and ask about his or her responsibilities and duties. Report your findings.

Requirement 5

Tell about several laws that were passed to protect the consumer and the seller. Tell about several organizations that provide help to consumers and sellers.

Requirement 6

Do ONE of the following:

A. Attend a session of a civil or criminal court. Write 250 words or more on what you saw.

B. Plan and conduct a mock trial with your troop or school class. After the trial is over, discuss it with the group.

Requirement 7

Arrange a visit with a lawyer who works for a business, bank, title company, or government agency. Find out his or her duties and responsibilities. Report what you have learned.

Requirement 8

Explain the requirements for becoming a lawyer in your state. Describe how judges are selected in your state.

Requirement 9

Make a list of 15 jobs that deal with some aspect of law or legal processes. Tell which you prefer. Why?

Requirement 10

Tell where people can go to obtain the help of a lawyer if they are unable to pay for one. Tell what you can do if you can afford a lawyer but do not know of any in your area.

Requirement 11

Discuss with your counselor the importance in our society of TWO of the following areas of the law:

A. Environmental law

B. Computers and the Internet

C. Copyright and the Internet

D. Space travel and satellites orbiting Earth

E. Patents

F. Biotechnology

G. Privacy law

H. International law

External links

• Law Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.
• 9 Jobs You Can Do with a Law Degree
• Bar Association links for each state