How laws are classified into different categories. Let's take a moment and explore the WHY:

 

Citizens are subject to a variety of laws made by city, county, state and federal governments. In general, all laws are part of a hierarchy in which federal laws are at the top, local laws at the bottom, and state laws somewhere in between.

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the land. No federal or state law may violate it. Federal laws (statutes), enacted by the United States Congress, must be followed by every state in the country. If a state law contradicts a federal law, the federal statute preempts the state law, and the state will be required to abide by the federal statute. However, federal laws do not cover all areas of the law, and in those instances, state or local laws will control. When individuals or entities violate these laws, the court system comes into play to not only ensure compliance, but also protect the safety and wellbeing of citizens.

Generally, the law can serve to (1) keep the peace, (2) maintain the status quo, (3) preserve individual rights, (4) protect minorities against majorities, (5) promote social justice, and (6) provide for orderly social change.

FOLLOW-UP QUESTION: With this in mind, let's consider a broad legal "philosophical" question: Do you think our legal system is designed to keep order, rehabilitate, seek justice or deter wrongdoing?