What is the difference between federal, state and local law?

The law in the United States is divided into three different levels: federal, state, and local. Federal law, made up of the Constitution, statutes, and treaties, is the highest form of law in the country and applies to all 50 states and U.S. territories. Federal law is made by Congress in Washington D.C. and enforced by the federal agencies, including the FBI, IRS, and the Department of Justice. State law is made up of the state constitution, statutes, executive orders, and judicial opinions. Each state has its own laws, which are generally enforced by local law enforcement. In Texas, the Legislature and Governor create laws which govern the entire state. Local laws are made by cities, counties, and other political subdivisions of a state. In Texas, counties are required by the Texas Constitution to pass local laws related to areas such as taxation, land use, zoning, licensing, and public order. These local laws are subject to state and federal law, meaning they must comply with or be consistent with those laws. All three levels of law can overlap, meaning a person can be subject to laws from both the state and federal government, or even the local government. It is important to understand which level of law applies in any particular situation. In Texas, local government law is particularly important as the Texas Constitution grants local governments considerable autonomy to enact and enforce laws.

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