Regardless of the breadth of the definition attached to the term law, there is an essential truth to the fact that at the core of the nation's expansive legal system lays a body of enforceable written rules meant to maintain order, define the outer limits of our interactions with one another and with our governments, and delineate legal rights and responsibilities. These rules derive from several sources, which collectively are called primary sources of law. There are also secondary sources of law, which are not laws in the technical sense For this assignment, identify and discuss the four types of primary sources of law. In your response, be sure to define each one. Discuss what types of laws are derived from each source. Identify the source of authority for each one. Lastly, provide an example of a law from each source.

Constitution (federal or state) It is the United States Constitution and the Washington State Constitution. An example is the rights of the people established by the American Constitution.

From this source derives the Constitutional Law.

Statutes (laws enacted by legislatures and municipal codes enacted by local councils) It is the United States Code, Revised Code of Washington, King County Code, and the Seattle Municipal Code. An example could be a new bill. Legislators can enact a new bill but it needs to be approved by the president to actually become a bill.

From this source derives the Civil Law.

Cases (opinions handed down by courts) It is the United States and state appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, and WA State Supreme Court. An example would be a court's written statement giving the reasons for the decision in a certain case such as murder, robbery or kidnapping.

From this source derives the Criminal Law.

Regulations ( administrative government agencies) These include the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, WA State Department of Social, and Health Services. An example would be regulations related to environment or tax issues.