English Influence On American Law

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American law first started to develop while the colonies where still under English rule. According to Janel McCarthy, “Although very few colonies could afford legal training in England, they remained remarkably familiar with English common law.” Even though the colonists were able to stay familiar with English law, this is a sign of English law losing influence over the people. After a while the colonists began to interpret English law in a new and different way. The colonists also began to make new laws for situations that had not been encountered before. “By the 1760’s the colonist had come to believe that in America they were creating a place that adopted the best of the English system but adapted it to new circumstances; a place where a person rise by a merit, not birth; a place where men could voice their opinions and actively share in self-government”(McCarthy). The transformation from English common law to a new American common law was officially started with the Declaration of Independence. The foundation of America law consists of three very important documents; the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. Even though the Bill of Rights is technically part of the Constitution since it consists of the first ten amendments, most people consider it to be its own document. This new American law that was developed was based on the ideals of the settlers but was also greatly influenced by English law. A few things that were taken and used in forming American law were the English court system, the Magna Carta slash English common law, and the English bill of rights. There were more than just these four things, but these make up the main source of English influence on American law. The English court system is much older than people tend to think it is, granted it has changed over time, but he base has stayed
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