Paralegals work with the law and it is important to be able to define exactly what the word law means. In this course, students will learn the definition of law and reflect on how different laws affect one’s daily life. In this course, students will be introduced to the sources of law in the U.S., including the U.S. Constitution and the three branches of government -- legislative, executive and judicial. The Constitution is the highest source of the law and the main focus of this course.
The Constitution not only defines the powers of government, but also limits each branch of government’s power. By giving some of the power to the citizens, the Constitution showed another form of checks and balances to limit one group’s amount of power.
Any law that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution -- be it on a state or federal level -- is deemed unconstitutional and unenforceable.
The powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution are then handed down to the states. Federalism is the sharing of power between both the federal government and the state governments. States also have their own constitutions, but the U.S. Constitution is the overruling document on any case.