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What is common law?

Common law is the legal system used in Great Britain and the United States (except the state of Louisiana). According to common law, judges must consider the decisions of earlier courts (precedents) about similar cases when making their own decisions. People sometimes call common law "customary law" because judges consider the customs (common practices) of the country when making decisions. In many countries the justice system combines elements of civil law (private cases), which was handed down from Roman law, and common law, which developed in England. In a combination system, private cases are judged in civil courts; however, cases involving crimes against society (criminal law) are tried in criminal courts, where decisions are based on precedents.

Further Information: "Common Law." MSN Encarta. [Online] Available

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1. Law
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   2. What is civil law?
   3. What is common law?
   4. What is the only U.S. state that does not use common law?
   5. What was trial by ordeal?
   6. What is writ of habeas corpus?
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   8. What was the Code Napoleon?
   9. How was the composition of the U.S. Supreme Court determined?
   10. Who was the first justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
   11. What were Jim Crow laws?
   12. What is the Miranda warning?
2. Trials
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   3. How did the Dred Scott case contribute to outbreak of the Civil War?
   4. Why was Susan B. Anthony put on trial?
   5. Who were Leopold and Loeb?
   6. Who was Mata Hari?
   7. What was the beer hall putsch trial and why was it important?
   8. What was the Scopes "Monkey Trial"?
   9. Why is the court-martial of Billy Mitchell famous?
   10. Was Al Capone tried for mob activities?
   11. What were the Nuremberg trials?
   12. Why were the Rosenbergs executed?
   13. What was the lasting effect of the Clarence Earl Gideon trials?
   14. Why was Nelson Mandela sent to prison?
   15. What was Roe vs. Wade?
   16. What was ABSCAM?
   17. Did a dingo kill Azaria Chamberlain?
   18. What was meant by "the" trial of the twentieth century?