In the context of the law, ‘right’ refers to a power or privilege guaranteed to an individual or group by law, custom, or in a formal agreement. More specifically, it refers to the ability to exercise power, privilege, or claim over something. When exercising a right, it is important to ensure that the actions being taken do not infringe upon any other person’s legal or constitutional rights or freedoms.
A good example of an inherent right is that of freedom of speech, which is a freedom secured by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Another example is the right to privacy, which is a right that has been upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States when it came to entering private dwellings.
The concept of right extends far beyond those inherent to individuals—there are also rights held by companies and even states. A business, for example, can have the right to produce a certain type of product without fear of infringement upon patent laws. Similarly, states have the right to govern their own territories, within limits set by federal laws.
Knowing when and how to properly exercise a right is an important part of the legal system and is essential to it functioning. As such, it is important to be aware of one’s rights and to understand when and how to use them to their benefit.