Research Guides: Legal Research: Statutory Law

Statutory Law, Federal

The sources for Federal statutory law are readily available in the Sprague Library.

The Constitution of the United States is the source of legal authority for all Federal and state governments in the country and can be found in a wide variety of locations. The most likely are listed below:

The edition online at the National Archives
Copies at the beginning of the U.S.C. and U.S.C.A.
Online in Westlaw.

After a bill becomes a law it is first published as a slip law and then in chronological order within the United States Statutes at Large. The current edition of United States Statutes at Large is only available in the Legal Reference collection. (see below)

The United States Code and United States Code Annotated contain the statutes organized into 50 broad subject areas called titles. The relevant cases, historical notes, and cross-references that are contained in the annotations in the U.S.C.A. will make it an invaluable tool for your legal research. Paper editions of both are available in the Legal Reference collection and are online as well through Westlaw. (see links below)

Constitutions & Statutes - Videos from U-Cincinnati Law Library
Over 15 videos about constitutions and statutes!

Primary Sources (Organized chronologically)

Constitution of the United States
At the beginning of U.S.C and U.S.C.A. (see below)
Online: US National Archives | Congress.gov - Constitution Annotated
Public & Private Laws (Slip Laws)
After the President signs a bill into law it is first published as a slip law.
These are later combined into the volumes comprising the United States Statutes at Large.
United States Statutes at Large. (U.S. Stat.)
The United States Statutes at Large, typically referred to as the Statutes at Large,
is the permanent collection of all laws and resolutions enacted during each session of Congress.
Statutes are published in chronological order, not by subject.
The current edition is only published in hard copy, with some older editions being available online at the link above.
Legal Reference: KF50 .A3
United States Code. (U.S.C.)
The United States Code is the codification by subject matter of the general and permanent laws of the United States.
It is divided by broad subjects into 50 titles.
Legal Reference: KF62 2006

Secondary Sources (Finding Aids Organized by Subject)

United States Code Annotated. (U.S.C.A.) - Westlaw
Combines the official text of the US Code with relevant cases, historical notes, indexes, cross-references, and other annotations. It also includes the US Constitution, selected Code of Federal Regulations provisions, presidential documents, and federal court rules.
Legal Reference: KF62 1927 .W45

Statutory Law, State

Primary Sources (Organized chronologically)

NJ State Constitution
Paper editions include N.J.S.A. and the NJ Legislative Manual. (see below)
Also online in Westlaw.
Laws of New Jersey. (N.J. Laws)
The laws of NJ (also known as Chapter Laws) arranged chronologically by the
date each was signed into law.
Legal Reference: KFN 1825 .A2
NJ Statutes
The laws of NJ organized by subject into 59 Titles.
Also in Westlaw.

Secondary Sources (Finding Aids Organized by Subject)

New Jersey Statutes Annotated. (N.J.S.A.).
Combines the official text of the NJ Statutes with relevant cases, historical notes, etc.,
much like the USCA does for the U.S. Code. Published by West.
Legal Reference: KFN1830 .A23 1997
NJ Legislative Manual
A yearly publication describing the organization of the NJ state government and contact
information for all state legislators, departments and agencies.
The NJ state constitution is available as well.