Sources of Law | iCivics (2024)

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Lesson Plan

Where do laws come from? This lesson teaches students about the sources, types, and unique systems of law that exist in the United States. Students learn about sources of law from the Constitution to local ordinances. They also compare and contrast civil and criminal law and peek into the special systems of military and juvenile justice.

Teacher Resources

Get access to lesson plans, teacher guides, student handouts, and other teaching materials.

Sources of Law | iCivics (10)

Sources of Law | iCivics (11)

Sources of Law | iCivics (12)

Resources

  • Sources of Law_Teacher Guide.pdf
  • Sources of Law_Student Docs.pdf

Sources of Law | iCivics (13)

I find the materials so engaging, relevant, and easy to understand – I now use iCivics as a central resource, and use the textbook as a supplemental tool. The games are invaluable for applying the concepts we learn in class. My seniors LOVE iCivics.

Lynna Landry , AP US History & Government / Economics Teacher and Department Chair, California

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Sources of Law | iCivics (2024)

FAQs

What are the five 5 sources of law? ›

The primary sources of law in the United States are the United States Constitution, state constitutions, federal and state statutes, common law, case law, and administrative law.

What are the 4 sources of law explained? ›

Primary sources are the actual laws and rules issued by governing bodies that tell us what we can and cannot do. The four primary sources are constitutions, statutes, cases, and regulations. These laws and rules are issued by official bodies from the three branches of government.

What are the primary sources of law Quizlet? ›

What are four primary sources of law in the United States? The U.S. Constitution and the constitutions of the various states. Statutory law—including laws passed by Congress, state legislatures, and local governing bodies. Regulations created by administrative agencies, such as the federal Food and Drug Administration.

What are the three most common types of law? ›

The basic divisions in the U.S. legal system are the criminal, civil, and administrative.

What are the 5 origins of law? ›

The legal systems of nearly all countries are generally modeled upon elements of five main types: civil law (including French law, the Napoleonic Code, Roman law, Roman-Dutch law, and Spanish law); common law (including United State law); customary law; mixed or pluralistic law; and religious law (including Islamic law ...

What are the seven sources of law in the United States? ›

U.S Constitution • Laws (statutes) enacted by Congress • Rules promulgated by federal agencies • State constitution • Laws enacted by the state legislature • Rules promulgated by state agencies • City/county charters (the “constitution” for the city or county) • Local laws and ordinances • Rules promulgated by local ...

How many major sources of law are there? ›

The four sources of federal and state law are (1) constitutions, (2) statutes and ordinances, (3) rules and regulations, and (4) case law.

Is common law a source of law? ›

Judge-made common law operated as the primary source of law for several hundred years, before Parliament acquired legislative powers to create statutory law. In England, judges have devised a number of rules as to how to deal with precedent decisions.

What are secondary sources of law? ›

Secondary sources are materials that discuss, explain, analyze, and critique the law. They discuss the law, but are not the law itself. Secondary sources, such as Law Journals, Encyclopedias, and Treatises are a great place to start your legal research.

What are primary legal sources? ›

Primary legal sources are the books and websites that comprise the formal, written statements of law issued by government entities. The “law,” in this context, includes everything from a state's statutes to a city's ordinances to caselaw published by a court.

What is the primary source by which all laws are created? ›

Constitutions. The United States and every state in the nation has a constitution. Created at a convention in 1787, the U.S Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the source of executive, legislative, and judicial government powers.

Which of the following is not a primary source of law? ›

Which of the following is not a primary source of law? Here's the best way to solve it. Solutions are written by subject matter experts or AI models, including those trained on Chegg's content and quality-checked by experts. State common law is not a primary source of law.

What are three 3 of the sources of US law? ›

The three sources of law are constitutional, statutory, and case law. The sources of law are ranked as follows: first, constitutional; second, statutory; and third, case law.

What are the two 2 main types of law? ›

There are two types of law - civ. Criminal - state or federal prosecutors bring a case against a person charged with a major crime, called a felony. Civil - deals with lawsuits brought by individuals or the government against other individuals, organizations or companies.

Which law pays the most? ›

As of 2024, the top five highest paid types of lawyers are:
  • Patent Attorneys.
  • Intellectual property (IP) Attorneys.
  • Trial Lawyers.
  • Tax Attorneys.
  • Corporate Lawyers.
Feb 19, 2024

What are the 5 parts of the rule of law? ›

The rule of law includes principles such as legality, implying a transparent, accountable, democratic and pluralistic process for enacting laws; legal certainty; prohibiting the arbitrary exercise of executive power; effective judicial protection by independent and impartial courts, effective judicial review including ...

How many main sources of law are there? ›

The four sources of federal and state law are (1) constitutions, (2) statutes and ordinances, (3) rules and regulations, and (4) case law.

What are the five functions of the law? ›

In general law serves five main functions: it cultivates and ensures the existence of adequate order, provides resolutions to conflicts, provides a safe haven for individuals and their assets, maintains the structured operation of the civilization, and protects civil liberties as set forth in each nation's constitution ...

What is the highest source of law for a US citizen? ›

The U.S. Constitution is the nation's fundamental law. It codifies the core values of the people. Courts have the responsibility to interpret the Constitution's meaning, as well as the meaning of any laws passed by Congress.

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