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The process of making laws is hugely complicated. While just about everyone would agree that certain actions should be deemed outside the acceptable and therefore illegal, there are many occasions when it is not so clearcut. For example, it cannot be right to murder someone and anyone who does so deserves to be punished. The same goes for those who commit crimes such as sexual violence and theft.

So let's look at how and why laws are made. They are often put in place to protect society and the individual. We should all be able to enjoy the freedom to go about our lives in the knowledge that we are safe. At the same time, we should not be allowed to blatantly do things which offend and impinge on the liberties of other people. But the difficulty comes when what is seens as acceptable for one person is certainly not for another. For example, how loud should you be permitted to play your music?

Should laws take into account morals? Again, what is moral to one person is not to another. For example, sex outside marriage is generally accepted in our society, while Muslim's see it as a huge crime.

We talk about legislating for the good of society - so that the majority view prevails. But we also have to take into account minority groups. We are not all the same. Some people's way of living differs hugely from others.

Then we have to ask what is the point of all the laws we make? The answer is two-fold - one to punish the perpetrators of the crimes and two to educate them in the hope they will see the error of their way and reform. Judges will also take into account intent - whether a crime was unintentionally committed and also whether it is a one-off or part of a trend of anti-social crime.

So, what of prostitution and marijuana? Prostitution has been called the oldest profession in the book. Those in favor of legalizing it say if two consenting adults wish to indulge in sex for payment, then where is the problem? Others will argue that sex should be part of a loving relationship, probably between a married couple. The latter group believe allowing prostitution will lead to a fall in society's morals. Whether it would destroy more marriages - or strengthen them - is open to debate. Those in favor believe legalizing prostitution will provide more safety to women offering their services - not only from possible attack, but also from the threat of sexually transmitted diseases. It would also provide more tazes for the Government!

The big question about marijuana is whewther

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