state law
Governor signs it
State law refers to legislation enacted by individual U.S. states, as distinguished from federal law that applies nationwide.
Each state has its own constitution, statutes, and regulations governing matters like criminal justice, family law, property, and education.
When people say something is against state law or permitted under state law, they're noting that rules vary by jurisdiction.
State laws may be stricter or more permissive than federal standards, and conflicts between them can trigger complex legal questions about which prevails.
- dual sovereigntyTwo authorities over one territory
- statuteEnacted written rule
- precedentPrior authoritative example
- rulingFormal legal determination
- police powerState's right to govern
appellate court · legal code · bill · preemption · marriage license · drinking age · traffic laws · speed limit · codification · citation · ordinance · penalty · regulatory oversight · stand your ground · gun control · civil rights · administrative agency · tax code
- legal fieldscivil procedure, criminal procedure, criminal code, penal code, legal theory
- Cannabis Policylegalization, decriminalization, medical marijuana, recreational use, dispensary
- State Legislaturesgeneral assembly, legislative session, statehouse, chamber, assemblyman
- lawlawyer, lawyers, attorney, attorneys, court
- lawslaws, statute, ordinance, acts, statutes
- international lawtreaty, treaties, conventions, protocols, declarations
state lawfederal law
Statute from central government
federal mandate · federal regulation · federal statute · national law · city ordinance
state lawcommon law
Jurisprudence from judicial decisions
case law · contract law · natural law · canon law · religious law