Which statement best describes the legal hierarchy described earlier?

Which statement best describes the legal hierarchy described earlier?

• A. Federal Laws, State Laws, Local Laws
• B. Local Laws, State Laws, Federal Laws
• C. Local Laws, Federal Laws, State Laws
• D. State Laws, Federal Laws, Local Laws

Answer: (A)

Federal law is the highest level in the system, with state law beneath it and local law beneath the states. The Supremacy Clause in the Constitution makes federal law the supreme law of the land, so when federal and state laws conflict, federal law wins. States derive their authority from their own constitutions and enact laws that apply within their borders, but those laws must bow to federal law. Local ordinances are created by cities or counties under authority granted by the state, so they operate within the limits set by both state and federal law and cannot contradict higher levels. That’s why the proper description is Federal Laws, State Laws, Local Laws—the order reflects the hierarchy. The other orders would place local or state above federal, which doesn’t align with the constitutional framework.

Federal law is the highest level in the system, with state law beneath it and local law beneath the states. The Supremacy Clause in the Constitution makes federal law the supreme law of the land, so when federal and state laws conflict, federal law wins. States derive their authority from their own constitutions and enact laws that apply within their borders, but those laws must bow to federal law. Local ordinances are created by cities or counties under authority granted by the state, so they operate within the limits set by both state and federal law and cannot contradict higher levels. That’s why the proper description is Federal Laws, State Laws, Local Laws—the order reflects the hierarchy. The other orders would place local or state above federal, which doesn’t align with the constitutional framework.