Other Types of "Law"
Source of US Laws
Parts of US Law
Origins of Modern Legal Systems
Ideals of Legal Systems
100

Law enacted and enforced by individual Native American tribes to govern themselves, distinct from federal or state laws. 

Tribal Law

100

The process of passing bills that become laws, or the body of laws that results from this process.

Legislation

100

A law that defines criminal offenses and the legal processes and punishments for those offenses.

Criminal Law

100

A fight to the death to prove your innocence

Trial by Combat or Trial by Ordeal

100

The idea of right and wrong

 

Justice

200

A law believed to originate directly from God, and is considered to be a higher authority than human-made law.

Divine Law

200

A formal, written law passed by the U.S. Congress

Statute

200

A public official appointed to decide cases in a court of law.

Judge

200

A collections of laws and legal interpretations developed under the sponsorship of the Roman emperor Justinian I in 527 AD

Code of Justinian

200

The idea of fairness and balance

Equitable

300

An unwritten law based on tradition, customs, and judicial precedents, as opposed to laws enacted by legislatures.

Common Law

300

Established the structure, powers, and limits of its government, as well as the rights of its citizens

The Constitution

300

A law governing non-criminal disputes between individuals or organizations 

Civil Law

300

Is famous for cruel and drastic punishment such as "an eye for an eye" retribution but also provided a foundation for justice and order in ancient Mesopotamia.

The Code of Hammurabi

300

The idea of a personal ethical and moral code

Honor

400

The traditional, widely accepted behaviors and practices within a society or culture that guide how people interact with one another

Social Customs

400

A rule or order issued by a government agency

Regulation

400

A body of people sworn to give a verdict in a legal case on the basis of evidence submitted to them in court

Jury

400

Signed in 1215, this document help establish English liberties and constitutional government. 

Magna Carta

400

The idea that individuals should be free from government intrusions on their person, property, and security 

Liberty

500

Evidence that is so convincing that no reasonable person would question the defendant's guilt.

Reasonable Doubt

(Bonus Word)

500

A rule enacted by a city council

Ordinance

500

A law that comes directly from court decisions in specific cases.

Case Law

500

A standard of behavior based on an average person's care, judgment, and caution. Often used as a comparison in a trial. Based 19th-century English law

Reasonable Person

(Bonus Word)

500

The idea that courts should follow previous court decisions when deciding cases. Translation "to stand by things decided"

Stare Decisis

(Bonus Word)