America is based on common law. It is a pretty cool concept. Law was built up out of what peoples' customs and shared moral conventions were when a judge or ju

America is based on common law. It is a pretty cool concept. Law was built up out of what peoples' customs and shared moral conventions were when a judge or jury made a judgement in trials between people. From English tradition. Most counties not descended from English law have this tradition. Law statues passed by governments overlay this older system.