What Roman principle became part of the legal system of the US?

Answer 1

Well, there were many Roman principles, but only some remain with us today. Some of them were them were in the Justinian Code, like innocent until proven guilty. Others were the systems in the government such as electing leaders, and making sure someone didn't have too much power.

Answer 2

The principles of Roman civil law which have been influential for the law of many modern countries, including the US are; citizenship and citizenship rights, equality under the law, the right to a trial and the right to appeal, innocence until proven guilty, that the burden of proof rests on the accuser and not theaccused, and that unfair laws can be repealed.

Answer 3

The ancient Roman Republic's political system and the methods of serving justice were altered during the 500 years or so that the Republic lasted. Concerning the US legal system, it is clear in our times that no legal system can attempt to administer justice without written laws. This was part of the Roman Republics political system. To move a step further on this, a legal system is hard to maintain unless the government as a whole is built on sound principles.

For the most part of the Roman Republic, power was shared in what is called a balance of power. Rome had to "law making bodies", the Senate and the Popular Assembly. The "executive branch " was the office of the two Consuls. The USA has a balance of power that lays within the Congress which passes bills it wishes to make into laws. The USA's chief executive is the President who can sign a bill and thus make it a law. The third piece of the USA's balance of power lies within the judgement of the USA's Supreme Court. This Court has final say should a law be presented to it regarding it's constitutionality.

In summary the balances of power in the Roman Republic are similar but not exactly like the USA's legal system and its overall Federal government.

One important note regarding any nations legal system and the part it plays in the overall government is the power of citizens to vote. This was true in the better days of Rome's republic.