Final answer:
In a string cite, statutes typically precede cases because statutes are the legislative source of the law. The U.S. legal system relies on stare decisis, ensuring that legal decisions are grounded in precedent, reflecting the importance of established case law in the common law system.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of legal citations, the order of authorities within a string cite can depend on the jurisdiction and the specific citation rules in effect. However, typically, statutes come before cases because they represent the legislative source of the law and provide the foundation upon which cases are argued and decided. Cases, on the other hand, interpret and apply these statutes to specific factual scenarios through the judicial process. Therefore, when citing authorities, it is common to list statutes first to ground the legal argument in the relevant legislation before moving on to case law that interprets those statutes.
The United States court system operates under a principle called stare decisis, meaning current and future legal decisions are heavily based on past rulings or precedents. The consistent application of precedent ensures stability and predictability in law. This is especially vital in the U.S. common law system, where the interpretation of the law can evolve over time through successive court rulings.