Constitutional Law

Constitutional law refers to rights carved out in the federal and state constitutions. The majority of this body of law has developed from state and federal supreme court rulings, which interpret their respective constitutions and ensure that the laws passed by the legislature do not violate constitutional limits.

At the federal level, most constitutional legal issues involve the Bill of Rights, which contains the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution. These amendments contain such rights as the freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial, and the right to be free from certain types of discrimination. States also have their own constitutions, which usually contain the same rights guaranteed under the U.S. Constitution. While many state constitutions also establish additional rights, they may not take away any federal rights.

Constitutional law also involves the rights and powers of the branches of government. Both the federal and state constitutions outline three branches of government and give distinct powers and responsibilities to each one.

Changes may occur in this area of law. The information provided is brought to you as a public service, and is intended to help you better understand the law in general. It is not intended to be legal advice regarding your particular problem or substitute for the advice of a lawyer.