What types of laws are designed to protect society from acts of its irresponsible citizens without infringing upon their individual rights under the constitution?

Answer 1

The answer could be all types of laws or no laws whatsoever. The law is supposed to set boundaries between individuals, groups and organizations. It defines the limits of the freedom of one relative to the freedom of another. Your property extends all the way out to - guess where - your neighbor's property line. The defined limits within the text of law are set down with the idea that their intent will be incorporated into the Codes of Conduct of those affected. That is supposed to minimize or eliminate conflict in the exercise of individual freedom. And there are penalties assessed against a party if convicted of failing to observe the rules. This is supposed to act as a deterrent to acts of lawlessness. All laws act as a deterrent. They discourage or inhibit "bad behavior" by the threat of punishment. We tend not to speed down the road because it's expensive if we get caught. But can the law actually prevent us from doing that? Does it control the pressure we apply to the throttle? No, it doesn't. It cannot. Laws cannot prevent irresponsible behavior. If all those who might break the speed limit got tossed in jail, the roadways would be empty. But discriminating against anyone for what he might do infringes on that individual's freedom (as defined by the Constitution or otherwise). Do laws stop crime or don't they? Do laws protect us or don't they?