Law as an Arbitrator

There was a question in class today about going to the law as an arbitrator even if we could lose something by doing it. I’ll use the example we used in class of, someone taking your stuff and refusing to give it back. If you call them and ask them politely to give it back and they refuse, you may try that a few more times. There will eventually become a point when you become so frustrated that you will go one of two ways. You will either try to take things into your own hands or you will use the law as an arbitrator. I feel as though most people would decide to use the law as their arbitrator because it gives them the best chance to get their stuff back, but also keeps them safe. Going to the police or filing a law suit is a much more controlled and safe matter than going to the persons house yourself. If you would decide to do that, you may put yourself or the other person in danger. There is a chance that if you use the law as an arbitrator you may lose something, but I think that that is a legitimate price to pay for keeping the situation under control. I think that most people you the law, instead of vigilante justice, because it keeps them safe, it keeps the situation under control, and most importantly it yields the best results. Those that put justice into their own hands are a danger to themselves and others. They also normally do not get the results that they would like.