Also known as:United States Code · US Code · U.S.C. · USC · federal statutes compilation
Written by attorneys · grounded in primary & secondary sources — see below
An official compilation of the general and permanent laws of the United States organized by subject matter into titles and sections.
Sources & Authorities
How it applies
Common Examples
6
Supplemental Jurisdiction Over Joined Claims
Umar Underwood, a citizen of State A, sues Upstream Petroleum in federal court for $120,000 in damages arising from a contract breach. Uma Underwood, also a citizen of State A, joins as a plaintiff with a related claim for $40,000 arising from the same events. The court exercises supplemental jurisdiction over Uma's claim because it shares a common nucleus of operative fact with Umar's claim that meets the amount in controversy.
Motion To Dismiss Indictment
Ulric Unger moves to dismiss an indictment after learning that one grand juror lacked legal qualification. The court denies the motion because the record shows that at least twelve qualified jurors concurred in the indictment.
Select any source to read its text and confirm it supports the definition.
Cases
Statutes
Federal Rules
Uniform Acts
Model Codes
Restatements
Production Of Refreshing Writing
Ursula Upton testifies at trial after reviewing a document to refresh her memory. The adverse party requests production of the writing. The court orders inspection and permits cross-examination on the portions relating to her testimony.
Choice Of Law After Transfer
Upland Industries sues Universal Motors in a district where venue is proper. After the case is transferred for convenience under section 1404(a), the transferee court applies the same state law and choice-of-law rules that the original court would have applied.
Disclosure To Authorized Person
A government attorney discloses grand-jury matter to a person authorized under 18 U.S.C. section 3322 to assist in enforcing federal criminal law. The recipient may use the information only for that purpose.
Transfer Despite Lack Of Jurisdiction
Una Unger files suit in a district lacking personal jurisdiction over the defendant. The court transfers the action under section 1406(a) to a district where the action could have been brought rather than dismissing the case.
Common questions
Frequently Asked
3
How does the U.S. Code supply the amount-in-controversy rules applied in diversity cases?+
The U.S. Code establishes the amount-in-controversy requirement and the supplemental-jurisdiction framework that allows additional claims sharing a common nucleus of operative fact to proceed when at least one claim satisfies the threshold.
Supporting sources
What limits does the U.S. Code place on dismissal of an indictment for grand-juror disqualification?+
The U.S. Code provides that an indictment may not be dismissed on the ground that a grand juror was unqualified if the record shows at least twelve qualified jurors concurred.
Supporting sources
When may an adverse party obtain a writing used to refresh a witness's memory under the U.S. Code?+
The U.S. Code entitles the adverse party to production of the writing, inspection, cross-examination about it, and introduction of related portions after the court conducts any necessary in-camera review.
Supporting sources
576 U.S. 644 (2015)Legislation and Regulation
…defining marriage for all federal-law purposes as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” 1 U.S.C. §7. The new and widespread discussion of the subject led other States to a different conclusion. In 2003, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts held the State’s Constitution…