The legal system in the United States is based on a complex set of laws that come from a variety of sources. The main sources of law in the US are the United States Constitution, state constitutions, federal and state statutes, common law, case law, and administrative law. In this article, we will explore the four main sources of law at the state and federal levels. The four sources of law are the Constitution of the United States, federal and state laws, administrative regulations, and case law.
The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the country and no other law, state or federal, can violate it. Each state has its own constitution and laws that cannot conflict with either the US Constitution or their own state constitution. In addition to these two constitutions, federal and state laws are created by the three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. An example of federal law is the Clean Air Act, which regulates emissions into the atmosphere from fixed and mobile pollution sources.
This law applies to all states in the US. Administrative regulations are created by government agencies to implement laws passed by Congress or state legislatures. These regulations have the force of law and must be followed by citizens. Case law is created by judges when they make decisions in court cases.
These decisions become part of the legal system and must be followed by other courts in similar cases. In international legal systems, sources of law include formal treaties/agreements concluded between national states. In Old England, before colonization of the United States, jurisprudence was the most common source of law. Ultimately, whether or not the US continues to support free trade and participate as leaders in international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) will depend on citizens choosing leaders who support these processes.
In conclusion, there are five main sources of law in the United States: The US Constitution, state constitutions, federal and state statutes, common law, case law, and administrative law. These four sources interact with each other to create a robust set of legal guidelines that must be followed by citizens.
