Glossary外国文学名著导读 (10).ppt

Chapter 12 The Law, Police and Military ◎Learning objectives: After completing this part, students should familiarize themselves with The law, police and military. 1. The US law 2. The US legal system 3. The police 4. The military ◎Focal points: 1. The law The law of the United States consists of many levels of codified (编纂的) and uncodified forms of law.  The Sources of Law constitutional law statutory law administrative regulations the common law (which includes case law) 1.1 The Constitution The Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. It is the foundation and source of the legal authority underlying the existence of the United States of America and the federal government of the United States. Facts and Figures the oldest written constitution adopted on September 17, 1787 amended twenty-seven times The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, called the Bill of Rights The law of the United States was originally largely derived from the common law system of English las. 1.2 The Levels of Law Federal law originates with the Constitution, which gives Congress the power to enact statutes for certain limited purposes like regulating interstate commerce. Nearly all statutes have been codified in the United States Code. Many statutes give the executive branch agencies the power to create regulations 1.2.1 Federal law 1.2.2 State law The fifty American states are separate sovereign states with their own state constitutions, state governments, and state courts (including state supreme courts). 1.2.3 Local law States have delegated lawmaking powers to thousands of agencies, townships, counties, cities, and special districts. What is the structure of the American legal system? ◎Question to ponder:  Hints ? Hints The United States Constitution，the foundation of the federal government of the United States, is the basis of the U.S. legal system.?The Constitution is the supreme l