Which of the following statements best describes the three primary categories of law in the United States?

• A. Constitutional law, administrative regulations, and case law.
• B. Federal, state, and municipal laws.
• C. Federal law, state law, and common law.
• D. International law, tribal law, and private law.

Answer: (C)

The United States organizes its law around three broad, enduring sources: federal law, state law, and common law. Federal law covers rules created by the national government, including the U.S. Constitution, federal statutes, and federal regulations. State law governs rules created by individual states, such as state constitutions, statutes, and regulations. Common law is the body of law developed by courts through decisions and precedents, which interprets statutes and fills gaps where no statute directly addresses a issue. This common-law tradition evolves over time as courts resolve disputes and shape how other laws are applied.

This combination best captures how rules operate across the country: nationwide authority at the federal level, local and regional authority at the state level, and a judge-made flow of precedent that guides interpretation and application in both spheres. The other options mix categories by source or by level (or include local ordinances or international/tribal frameworks) rather than describing the primary structural categories of U.S. law.