using previous judicial rulings to guide current decisions
based on precedent, has an adversarial system and relies on juries to be fact finders and decide outcomes
society surrenders certain rights for security and protection; based on the general will
codified and created by legislative bodies or legal scholars
basis of American legal traditions
in 1961 legal reformers collated general American legal principles and interpretations; 34 states adopted this "rational" criminal law code
"stand on the decision"; principle of precedent when deciding cases
became a legal bible for Americans after gaining independence from England; a comprehensive collection of common law
ENGLISH COMMON LAW
STARE DECISIS
BLACKSTONE'S COMMENTARIES
MODEL PENAL CODE (MPC)
PRECEDENT
SOCIAL CONTRACT
COMMON LAW TRADITION
CIVIL LAW TRADITION
