What is the relationship between the US Constitution and international law?
The relationship between the US Constitution and international law is complicated but important. The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land and any laws that conflict with it may be struck down. International law, on the other hand, is made up of treaties and other agreements between countries, and though they may conflict with the US Constitution, the US is generally obligated to comply with them. As a result, there can be tension between the two. At a federal level, the US Supreme Court has recognized that international law can be used to support interpretations of the US Constitution. In some cases, the US Supreme Court has looked to international law to interpret the US Constitution because it believes that US citizens should be treated according to widely accepted international standards. This is especially true when it comes to issues of civil rights and civil liberties, where the US often looks to international law for guidance. At a state level, the relationship between the US Constitution and international law is less certain. In Louisiana, the Louisiana Supreme Court has held that international law may be consulted when applicable to the laws of the state, but it is not binding on the state’s courts. As such, Louisiana courts must still consider both the US Constitution and international law when deciding cases.
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