Surely, minorities attitudes towards American law differ from the bourgeoisie class. These attitudes can be measured through surveys and measurements. Statistics show in America, minorities are arrested disproportionately more and prosecuted at a higher rate than whites. Looking only at law, one would not be able to assess the respect for the authority of law in any given society. One must look at legal culture.
Law can cease to exist, when a consensus of a population disregards the law.
Take for instance, prohibition laws enacted in the early 1900 s to curb alcohol consumption. Public opinion opposed these laws. With no compliance and utter disrespect for these laws from the majority of American society, it was soon overturned. Laws must reflect society s values. Therefore, ideas, values, and attitudes about law must be considered to evaluate the stability, legitimacy, and effectiveness of a legal system.