The supreme law of the land is set forth in the?

The supreme law of the land is set forth in the?

• A. Statute
• B. Common Law
• C. Ordinance
• D. Constitution

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that the highest legal authority is the founding document that establishes the structure of government and fundamental rights. This document is supreme because every statute, rule, and court decision must operate within its limits. When a statute or local ordinance conflicts with it, the constitution overrides the conflicting provision and prevails. In the United States, this supremacy is reinforced by the Supremacy Clause, which says the Constitution and laws made under it are the supreme law of the land. So, the Constitution is the source of the ultimate legal authority, while statutes, common law, and ordinances derive their power from it and must conform to it.

The key idea is that the highest legal authority is the founding document that establishes the structure of government and fundamental rights. This document is supreme because every statute, rule, and court decision must operate within its limits. When a statute or local ordinance conflicts with it, the constitution overrides the conflicting provision and prevails. In the United States, this supremacy is reinforced by the Supremacy Clause, which says the Constitution and laws made under it are the supreme law of the land. So, the Constitution is the source of the ultimate legal authority, while statutes, common law, and ordinances derive their power from it and must conform to it.