System of law

is really a serious of definitions of legal terms

Plaintiff is the person who brings or files the lawsuit

is the person against whom the lawsuit is brought

the practice of relying on previous decisions in which similar disputes arose

The practice of utilizing or following a prior decision

are published decisions of cases . Such decisions may be used by courts to rely on when considering cases that are similar to case that was previously decided .

Both Federal and State constitutions are general statements of the powers of government and the rights of individuals . The specific applications of powers and rights are provided for in laws enacted by federal , state and local governments . Each State Constitution provides for legislatures to adopt Statutes Statutes are adopted by the Federal Government and State Government .

are adopted by local governments such as towns and counties .

The Federal Government is governed by the U.S. Constitution and its amendments . Additionally , each State has its own Constitution which governs the States . The Constitution provides the sovereign ( Federal Government or Local Government ) with certain reasonable powers . Many of these powers provide the basis for the government to adopt laws . Any law which a government adopts that is not within the constitutional grant of power will be declared unconstitutional by a court .

All constitutions contain 2 types of powers . Express Powers & Implied Powers .

are powers that are specifically stated in the Constitution .

are powers that have arisen as a result of interpretation of the express powers by the courts . If it was not for Implied Powers the Government would not have the power to regulate television , space travel , internet or air travel .

Because the framers of the Constitution knew that things would develop that Constitution did not cover the Constitution provides for a method to adopt amendments to the Constitution . The 1st 10 amendments to the Constitution are called the BILL OF RIGHTS .

Once a law is adopted and it is challenged the Courts are given the right to review the laws and make a determination as to whether or not the law is valid ( Constitutional ) or invalid ( Unconstitutional ) .

is a published court decision in which the courts interprets and applies a statute to a specific fact situation . Many court decisions are not publish and generally do

The laws that are adopted and enacted by the Federal Government and State Government is called Statutory Law .

These are laws that are adopted by local governments such as town or city councils

State and Federal Agencies have the authority to adopt rules in order to regulate their specific areas .

RULES all of the Administrative Rules which the agencies adopt are Administrative Law