Matching Pairs English InfluencesOnline version Common law & US legal traditions by Chris McCormick 1 society surrenders certain rights for security and protection; based on the general will 2 in 1961 legal reformers collated general American legal principles and interpretations; 34 states adopted this "rational" criminal law code 3 codified and created by legislative bodies or legal scholars 4 became a legal bible for Americans after gaining independence from England; a comprehensive collection of common law 5 basis of American legal traditions 6 using previous judicial rulings to guide current decisions 7 "stand on the decision"; principle of precedent when deciding cases 8 based on precedent, has an adversarial system and relies on juries to be fact finders and decide outcomes CIVIL LAW TRADITION PRECEDENT SOCIAL CONTRACT COMMON LAW TRADITION MODEL PENAL CODE (MPC) BLACKSTONE'S COMMENTARIES STARE DECISIS ENGLISH COMMON LAW