David Ford Avon Ct is an attorney and volunteer currently living in Glastonbury, Connecticut. Expert in Finance and bank fraud. Quite a famous name in the legal circle of Connecticut. He is a respected citizen and a respected lawyer.

1. David Ford Avon CT

2. Learning Goal
To recognize the 5 main
sources of U.S. Law

3. What is Law???
Law:
The rules of conduct
established by government of
a society to maintain
stability and justice.

4. The 5 Main Sources of U.S. Law
1. Constitutional Law
(Federal and State)
2. Common Law
3. Statutory Law
4. Court Decisions
5. Administrative
Regulations

5. #1: Constitutional Law
The U.S. Constitution:
1. Is the most fundamental law in our Country.
2. Spells out the principles by which the
government operates.
3. Sets forth the fundamental rights of citizens.
4. Defines the limits of the federal and state
governments for passing laws.
5. Describes the functions of the various branches
and divisions of the national government.

6. #2: Common Law
In the early days of colonization, states
adopted the English Common Law.
Judges or “Magistrates” traveled the
countryside deciding cases on local
customs and traditions.
Judges shared their decisions with other
Judges, and this became the basis for
“Common Law.”

7. . . . Common Law
Eventually, decisions were written down and a body
of cases was developed.
 Precedent – A Judge is required to follow an
earlier court decision when deciding a case with
similar circumstances.
 Stare Decisis – “Let the decision stand”

8. . . . Common Law
 Common Law began to erode with the passing of new
laws and statutes.
 Parts of Common Law still exist in our Law.
 Except for Louisiana!
 French Common Law

9. #3: Statutory Law
Statutes – Laws specifically
passed by a governing body that
has been created for the purpose of
making laws.
Includes all laws passed by Congress, State
Legislatures, Local City Councils or Town
Meetings.

10. #4: Court Decisions
Courts make law in 3 ways:
1. Through Common Law – state court
decisions become law, and other courts in the
state must follow
– Unless altered by a statute.
– Possible to change the precedent
2. By Interpreting Statutes – A judge can
interpret an unclear statute, only if the judge
is involved in a related lawsuit.
3. By Judicial Review – Supreme Court can
declare laws Unconstitutional.

11. #5: Administrative Regulations
Organizations created by Federal, Local, and
State Legislatures for regulating
individual activities.
 Saves the Legislatures time
 Provides an organization with expert
knowledge to govern a specific field
 Can be ended at any time by the
Legislature.
 Example = Federal Communications
Commission (FCC)

12. Thanks