There are a number of sources of American law, but the primary sources of law in the United States are statutes and ordinances, constitutional law, administrative law and common law (case law). (Miller, 2017). Each source of the law is derived from a different authority. Constitutional law is the body of law derived from the United State Constitution and the constitutions of the various states. A constitution defines how the government is to be organized and the extent of its powers and responsibilities. A constitution can also serve to protect individual liberties. Statutes law is the body of law enacted by legislative bodies. Statutes law can be private law and public law. For example, the speed limit of a state highway is statutory law.
