The Rule of Law is paramount for a civilised society.

The Rule of Law is :The principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the State itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly decreed, equally enforced and independently adjudicated, and which are consistent with international human rights. It requires, as well, measures to ensure adherence to the principles of supremacy of law, equality before the law, accountability to the law, fairness in the application of the law, separation of powers, participation in decision-making, legal certainty, avoidance of arbitrariness and procedural and legal transparency.
In general failure to adhere to the Rule of Law results in society descending into a state of Anarchy.
If  all the little By-laws and minor offences remain unpunished, such as untaxed, uninsured and unsafe motor vehicles, litter, fly-tipping, graffitti and unsocial behaviour, it would only be a matter of time before areas became ghettos, forcing the decent people out and inviting the criminals and crime in.