Question

In a string cite, which comes first: federal or state statutes?

1) Federal statutes come first
2) State statutes come first
3) It depends on the context
4) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

In a string cite, federal statutes typically come first due to the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution that places federal law over state law, following the hierarchy established in the legal system.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a string cite, when deciding whether federal statutes or state statutes come first, it mostly depends on the context in which they are being cited and the jurisdiction of the case at hand. In general, federal law, including federal statutes, takes precedence over state law based on the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution. This clause establishes that the Constitution and national laws are 'the supreme law of the land' and that they override conflicting state regulations. When preparing legal documents or citing legal authorities, typically, federal authorities will be cited before state authorities, in alignment with the hierarchical structure of U.S. law, where the U.S. Constitution is at the top, followed by federal treaties and federal laws, then state constitutions, and state laws.