Law in the United States is composed of case law precedent (prior judicial decisions), just as with the British system,as well as statutory law created by both the federal government and the states.
1.美国的法律包括判例法（先前的司法裁决），这一点同英国法律制度一致，此外还有联邦和各州制定的成文法。
1.1 The United States Constitution
1.1 美国宪法
The United States Constitution was drafted in 1787 and amended 26 times ever since.
《美国宪法》是1787年订立的，此后修改过26次。
The Constitution separates the government into the three coordinate branches.
宪法将政府分为三个相互协调、相互制约的权利机构。
The Constitution provides for powers to each of the three branches, as well as the states.
宪法除赋予三个权利机构以及州政府特定的权利外。
In addition it sets limits on the powers of federal and state government.
还对联邦和各州政府的权利作了限制性规定。
1.2 State Constitution
1.2 州宪法
Besides the United States Constitution, each of the 50 states has also adopted a constitution.
除《美国宪法》以外，美国50个州中的每个州都有一部州宪法。
The state constitution sets out both the form and operation of government in that state and provides for and sets limits on its power.
州宪法规定了本州政府的形式和运作，并规定了对州政府权利的限制。