About Constitutional Law

Constitutional law is a broad topic that covers the division of powers between the state and federal governments, the division of powers between the branches of the state and federal governments, and the rights carved out for the people in both constitutions. Most of this body of law has been developed in court rulings from both the state and federal courts.

Constitutional law can touch on topics as diverse as administrative law, criminal law, election law, the structure of government, and torts law. Many federal constitutional issues involve the Bill of Rights and Fourteenth Amendment.

Each state also has its own constitution, each of which protects some, if not all, of the same rights guaranteed to the people under the federal constitution. Each state is responsible for the interpretation of its own constitution and many interpret them to provide broader protections to their citizens than the federal courts do with the U.S. Constitution.