How did Roman law eventually affect people living in present day United States?

Law has been defined, as the "Art of Social Control"; the

system of rules regulating the conduct of mankind. Laws are

not the result of spontaneous action, but they are accumulated

through the course of time to meet the demands of the people to

whom they apply; they are affected by the industry of a country,

and by the political, social and religious belief of the law-makers.

It is evident, then, that one may learn the history of a nation,

by studying its laws.