1. SOURCES OF LAW Constitution -- “Fundamental Law
Statutes -- legislation
Administrative Regulations -- Government regulation by administrative agencies
Executive Orders -- presidential or gubernatorial orders
Court Decisions -- relationship to other sources

2. Briefing a Case
Facts:
Who is suing Whom, for What?
Arguments of the parties?
Where are we procedurally?
Issue: What is the legal question raised by the fact?
Decision: How does the court decide the issue?
Reasoning: Why does the court decide the way it did?

3. LIMITS ON COURTS’ DISCRETION
Court Structure -- higher courts bind lower courts
Jurisdiction -- states don’t bind other states
Legal Theory -- civil vs. criminal
Date of Case -- newer cases better than older ones
Statute -- has a statute overruled the case?