US Constitution and Legal System

The Constitution of the United States

• The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the basis of the US legal system.
• It was drafted in May 1787 by delegates from 12 of the 13 states at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
• The Constitution established a "firm league of friendship" between the colonial states.

Principles of the Constitution

• The chief aim of the Constitution was to create a government with sufficient power to act on a national level without risking fundamental rights.
• This was achieved by separating power into three branches with checks and balances to prevent any one branch from gaining supremacy.

Separation of Powers

• The powers of each branch of government are enumerated in the Constitution.
• Powers not assigned to the branches are reserved to the states.

Relationship Between States

• States are required to give "full faith and credit" to the laws, records, contracts, and judicial proceedings of other states.

Authority of the Constitution

• The Constitution is empowered with the sovereign authority of the people.
• It was ratified by the framers and the consent of state legislatures.
• The Constitution is the source of all government powers and provides limitations on government to protect the fundamental rights of US citizens.