What is the order of authority?

Asked by: Prof. Rey Rau DVM  |  Last update: February 2, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (16 votes)

The "order of authority" refers to the hierarchy of sources or people, varying by context, but generally places the U.S. Constitution at the top, followed by Statutes, Regulations, and then Case Law (primary sources), dictating legal weight; in government, it's the presidential line of succession (VP, Speaker, etc.). In legal writing, it's the ranking of sources (Federal > State > International), while in organizations, it's the command chain (e.g., CEO > Manager > Employee).

What is order of authority?

In formal legal writing, the order of authorities refers to the sources which are used to validate claims made by the author of the paper. The sources should be arranged according to their order of importance, in accordance with Bluebook Rule 1.4.

What is the order of authority in the Bible?

The dynamic of authority is seen throughout Scripture as God's people are called to submit to God and His word, Christians to their local church, all peoples to their governing authorities, employees to employers, children to their parents, wives to their husbands (Ephesians 5:21-6:9), and husbands to their wives in ...

What is the order of the table of authority?

The TOA list has the name of the authority followed by the page number or numbers on which each authority appears, and the authorities are commonly listed in alphabetical order within each grouping.

What is the order of authority in the police?

The police ranks in order for leadership roles within US metropolitan departments are: corporal, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief, assistant chief, chief of police, police commissioner.

Order vs. Chaos: Authority Structure of the Catholic Church - CATHOLIC BASICS, #2

44 related questions found

Which is higher, DCI or DI?

Detective Constable (DC) Detective Sergeant (DS) Detective Inspector (DI) Detective Chief Inspector (DCI)

What are the 4 levels of law enforcement?

The four main levels of law enforcement in the U.S. are Federal, State, County, and Local (Municipal), each with distinct jurisdictions and responsibilities, from enforcing federal laws (FBI) and state laws (State Police) to managing county jails (Sheriff's Office) and patrolling cities (Local Police). 

Who is more powerful, DA or judge?

A District Attorney (DA) often wields more practical power in shaping criminal case outcomes than a judge, as DAs decide whether to file charges, what charges to file, and influence plea bargains and sentences, while judges primarily ensure legal fairness and have final say on sentencing, though their discretion can be limited by mandatory minimums, shifting power to prosecutors. Judges oversee proceedings and rule on legal matters, but the vast majority of cases end in plea deals where the prosecutor's initial charging decisions and plea offers are paramount. 

Can the president overturn a Supreme Court ruling?

No, the President cannot directly overturn a Supreme Court decision; only the Court itself (through a new ruling), the Constitution (via amendment), or new legislation by Congress can overturn a major ruling, though Presidents can try to influence future decisions by appointing new justices or challenge rulings through appeals, and historically, some have selectively enforced or ignored certain rulings, as seen with Lincoln and the Dred Scott case. 

What are the rules of authority?

Rules of the Authority means the Convention, the Agreement, these Regulations and other rules, regulations and procedures of the Authority as may be adopted from time to time.

What are the 7 levels of the spirit?

Old Testament allusions

There is also a possible allusion to the seven attributes of the Spirit in Isaiah 11:2 (i.e., a Spirit of the Lord, of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of strength, of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord).

Who is higher than a pastor?

Bishop and vicar are higher positions in certain sects, but the rest are just terms for the local teacher/leader of a church in various sects.

What are the four types of authority in the Bible?

A Balance of the Four Biblical Authority Structures

  • Family: Husband—Wife—Children. God entrusts husbands with the leadership of the family unit. ...
  • Church: Church leaders—Church members. ...
  • Employment: Employers—Employees. ...
  • Government: National leaders—Local officials—Citizens.

What are the 4 types of primary authority?

There are four main types of legal resources (primary authority) that you will encounter when conducting legal research: constitutions, statutes, regulations, and court opinions (also referred to as cases).

What's another word for authority order?

Some common synonyms of authority are command, control, dominion, jurisdiction, power, and sway. While all these words mean "the right to govern or rule or determine," authority implies power for a specific purpose within specified limits. When is command a more appropriate choice than authority?

Who has the highest authority in the U.S. government?

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress.

What is the President not allowed to do?

A PRESIDENT CANNOT . . .

declare war. decide how federal money will be spent. interpret laws. choose Cabinet members or Supreme Court Justices without Senate approval.

Can a US president fire a Supreme Court judge?

No, a U.S. President cannot fire a Supreme Court Justice; they serve for life ("during good behavior") and can only be removed through the impeachment process by Congress (House impeaches, Senate convicts) for serious misconduct, ensuring judicial independence from political pressure. 

Has any president ignored a Supreme Court ruling?

Yes, presidents have ignored or defied Supreme Court rulings, most famously Andrew Jackson with the Cherokee Nation (Trail of Tears) and Abraham Lincoln by suspending habeas corpus, but this is rare and often leads to constitutional crises, with recent instances involving defiance in deportation cases under the Trump administration. Other examples include governors defying rulings on segregation (Faubus, Barnett) and FDR's stance on military tribunals, highlighting ongoing tensions between executive power and judicial authority. 

Who is the most powerful person in a courtroom?

While the Judge holds significant authority within the courtroom by managing proceedings, ruling on evidence, and ensuring order, the Prosecutor is often considered the single most powerful figure in the U.S. criminal justice system because they decide whether to file charges, what charges to bring, and influence plea bargains, ultimately controlling the case's direction and potential outcomes more than the judge can.
 

Do lawyers make $500,000 a year?

Yes, many lawyers earn $500,000 or more annually, especially Big Law partners, senior corporate counsel, specialized litigators, and successful solo practitioners in high-value fields like IP or medical malpractice, though this is not the norm for all attorneys, with median salaries being much lower. Reaching this income level requires specialization, strategic business growth, marketing, and often working in major markets, with top-tier law firms (Big Law) offering high starting salaries and significant bonuses that can push senior associates past the $500K mark.
 

Who is more powerful than a lawyer?

Advocates typically have more power in legal proceedings because they can argue cases in court, whereas lawyers without bar registration cannot.

What does 12 mean for cops?

"12" is slang for police, originating from the police radio code 10-12 ("visitors present," meaning civilians nearby), which became a shorthand warning, and possibly influenced by the TV show Adam-12, used in hip-hop and urban culture to mean cops are around or to be wary of law enforcement. It's used in contexts ranging from casual conversation to cautionary warnings like "Watch out for the 12" or "Fuck 12".
 

What does code 4 mean in law enforcement?

In police radio codes, "Code 4" generally means the situation is under control, safe, and no further assistance is needed, indicating the officers have resolved the issue or are managing it without needing backup. While specific meanings can vary slightly by agency, it's a common signal for a situation being handled, allowing other units to clear or focus elsewhere, and can also mean the officer is busy with paperwork after the incident.
 

What is a P3 in police?

A Police Officer III is a senior officer and is a Field Training Officer. They eventually become eligible for the Supervisory school or the Detective school and are eligible for specialized assignments such as being a METRO Officer.