Question

What are the primary sources of American Law and give one example of each?  Give an example of one secondary source.  

Answer 1

The sources of American Law can be from two broad categories: Primary source and secondary source. In which primary sources are the actual laws in the legal language like constitution or statutes whereas the secondary sources help to clarify the primary source with explanation, definition etc., to the phrases from primary sources.

Primary sources of American Law:

1. Constitution: The United States Constitution and the constitutions of the various states.

[Example: Constitution of the United States, Constitution of Vermont]

2. Statutes: Statutory Law - including laws passed by state legislatures, and local governing bodies.

[Example: United States Code, Seattle Municipal Code]

3. Cases: Case laws as passed down by the court

[Example: U.S. Supreme Court and WA State Supreme Court]

4. Rules and Regulations: Regulations created by administrative Government agencies

[Example: United States Food and Drug Administration]

Secondary Source of American Law:

- Treaties, Legal research, Legal Textbooks.

[Example: Worldwide Chemical Weapons Convention, Geneva Convention]

Note: Considering the topic, the examples set out is not very exhaustive but i hope it will be a helpful piece of information.