In the U.S. how is it possible that..................?

Dragon

It all has to do with their interpretation of the Constitutional Law. Often, one State views it differently than another.

Mixtli

It's that damn double standard thing again;

it's everywhere.

kiki

It would have been easier to answer if it was physics!

chacha

Hey, this Q isn't funny at all. It doesn't even rhyme. What have I gotten myself into? I feel like I don't even know you any more.

*holds back tears*

synum

...too many hotdogs is bad for your constitution....

<<<<<<<<<< *pleads ignorance*

Buk

Who are you??

It's money; if the interpretation is right, certain funding continues to pour in from certain groups....

Bob Newhart all work/no play

I'm taking a case of beer and heading over to Charles G's house.... he's got guns....and a fabulous complexion.

Dr h2o

This is Guvenah Aahnold... geeeet ooought!!! Aht the tiime I do nhat have the ansah.
Geeet to the choppa!! Gooo Nooow!!

M K

Assuming you are serious...

States have their own constitutions and issues related to state constitutionality are heard by state courts. The US constitution governs how the Federal Government works, but the 10th Amendment yields all rights and powers not specifically laid out in the US constitution to be the purview of the states.

State laws cannot violate the US constitution. For example, a state could not make a law saying you do not have a 4th amendment right anymore. State constitutions are often in conflict since those responsible for enforcing them are usually state elected office holders looking out for their own state.

The US does not have a true "common law" system and where these issues come up such as in common law marriages, any legislative act supersedes them.

strine strumpet

This isn't even a medium type question and i'm like...

wtf??

jsmack19

That is not the only time the Supreme Court hears cases.
They hear any case as between states
Any case that has a question of law that is in disagreement between the circuits.
Federal Appeals
etc...

Your question is pretty vague, do you have a specific example?

Chuckie O

States are separate legal entities, and have constitutions of their own.

The Supreme Court is the final "judge" of what is constitutional and what is not, but before a case is heard there, sometimes there are several different opinions on whether something violates the constitution or doesn't.

For a wild example, what types of guns does the constitution guarantee us to have? None? Only air rifles? Only hunting guns? Pistols? Assault rifles? Nuclear weapons? There is some debate and interpretation.

Abandoned profile

It is their lawyers interpretation of what the law means. It is rare to find two lawyers that will agree with each other

I think it has something to do with pork.

Repository Supository

It's called 'interest' of the majority.. though your right the USA is a republic not a democracy and the law and it's constitution are above the majority.

jekessans

Because whatever law the state passes, it is just a state law and may become part of the state constitution - not a US Constitutional law. They can look to the Constitution (state or US) as a guide when drafting the law but because it is not a change to the US Constitution itself, then each state is free to enact, change, or ratify laws not specifically covered or governed in the US Constitution. For example, the whole Gay Marriage question is because marriage isn't specified/defined to be the union of one man and one woman in the US Constitution but states have tried to add this as an amendment to their state's constitution so that all areas within that state are governed by this amendment.

In order for all states to be held to the same law, the US Constitution would need the addition or a change of an already existing amendment just like the addition of the amendment that gave all women the right to vote was part of the US Constitution and was mandated to be enacted in every state as all states fall under the US Constitution. Whereas, each state has its own state supreme court and its own constitution which is not binding on other states.

jenny

Depends on which side of the side bar you are on, LOL

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