Also known as: statutes · statuta · statutable · statutist · statutory · statutum · statuti · statutorily · act · legislation
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An act of a legislature that has the force of law.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Selena Singh drove her delivery truck at excessive speed through a residential area while distracted by her phone. Her vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian. Prosecutors charged her under the state statute defining involuntary manslaughter by criminal negligence. The court applied the statute to her conduct and convicted her of the offense.
Sabrina Shah signed a contract to purchase a warehouse from Stonehaven Properties. Before closing a fire destroyed the building. The buyer invoked the statute adopting equitable conversion and paid the full purchase price despite the loss. The court enforced the statute and held the buyer bore the risk.
Santiago Sanchez attempted to register to vote but was denied on account of sex under an old state law. He sued claiming violation of the federal statute implementing the constitutional prohibition on denial of the vote on account of sex. The court struck down the state law as inconsistent with the statute.
Scott Summers was charged with a crime after his body convulsed during a seizure and caused injury. His lawyer cited the statute requiring a voluntary act for criminal liability. The court dismissed the charge because the statute excluded reflexive conduct from liability.
Sasha Stone became a judge and continued representing family members in court for pay. Opposing counsel moved to disqualify her under the statute barring judges from practicing law. The court enforced the statute and removed her from the case.
Spencer Silver rented an apartment under an oral month-to-month agreement. The landlord served notice to terminate after thirty days as required by the statute governing at-will tenancies. The court upheld the termination because the statute had been satisfied.
A statute is enacted by a legislative body while common law arises from judicial decisions. The Black's definition confirms that statutes are positive enactments given the force of law by the state.
Supporting sources
Yes. The definition includes legislation enacted by administrative boards when the state gives their enactments the force of law.
Supporting sources
A statute may adopt or modify the equitable conversion doctrine and thereby determine which party bears the risk of loss before closing on a land sale contract.
No. Some statutes such as those governing short-term leases or oral trusts may be valid without a writing if they meet other statutory conditions.
…the appointment is made when the last act required from the President is performed; the signature is that last act. The statute converting the Department of Foreign Affairs into the Department of State enacts that the Secretary shall affix the seal to civil commissions after they shall have been signed by the…