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