Which set correctly identifies the three categories of laws?

• A. Constitutions; Executive Orders; Case Law
• B. Constitutions; Judicial Decisions; International Law
• C. Constitutions; Statutes & Ordinances; Case Law
• D. Constitutions; Statutes; Administrative Regulations

Answer: (C)

Understanding where laws come from is essential: the legal system distinguishes three main sources. The constitution provides the overarching framework and limits for all other law. Statutes and ordinances are the formally enacted rules created by legislative bodies at the state and local levels. Case law consists of judicial decisions that interpret the constitution and statutes and establish precedents that guide future rulings. Together, these three categories form the standard structure for organizing domestic law.

Why this trio fits best: it cleanly separates the sources into the highest authority (the constitution), the written rules created by lawmakers (statutes and ordinances), and the interpretive layer produced by courts (case law). The other options mix in executive directives, administrative regulations, or international law, which are important in practice but do notRepresent the three core categories of domestic law sources in the usual framework.