Chapter 1 The Nature and Sources of Law

Fill in the blank: Several layers of law are enacted at different levels of government to provide the framework for business and personal rights and duties. At the base of this framework of laws is _________?

• constitutional law

• statutory law

• administrative law

• common law

What does a constitution establish according to the structure of government?

• A constitution establishes the structure of government and the relationship of that government to the people who are governed.

• A constitution only outlines the rights of citizens without mentioning government structure.

• A constitution is solely a list of laws for economic policies.

• A constitution is a document that describes only the duties of the president.

Which agency is responsible for promulgating restrictions on carbon emissions by businesses?

• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

• Department of Education

Administrative agencies create rules that carry the same legal weight as statutes passed by legislatures.

• True

• False

What is the form of law that includes principles expressed for the first time in court decisions called?

• Case law

• Statutory law

• Administrative law

• Constitutional law

Courts serve as interpreters of legislative intent, bridging the gap between written statutes and real-world application.

• True

• False

When a court decides a new question or problem, what does its decision become?

• A law

• A precedent

• A suggestion

• A policy

Fill in the blank: Court decisions do not always deal with new problems or make new rules. In many cases, courts apply rules as they have been for many years, even centuries. These time-honored rules of the community are called the _________

• common law

• statutory law

• civil law

• criminal law

Common law represents centuries of judicial wisdom, evolving through countless court decisions to address recurring legal issues.

• True

• False

What are international agreements made by the United States that become part of domestic law called?

• Treaties

• Amendments

• Resolutions

• Statutes