Define: United States Code

The United States Code (U.S.C.) is a compilation of laws enacted by Congress and approved by the President. These laws are categorized into different subjects known as “titles,” with a total of 54 titles. The U.S.C. encompasses the majority of significant laws for the country. However, it is crucial to regularly check for updates as new laws may be enacted after the publication of the U.S.C. Some editions of the U.S.C. include explanatory notes that detail the evolution of laws over time. When referencing a specific law, individuals typically mention its location within the U.S.C. For instance, a court case might refer to “28 U.S.C. § 1452(a),” indicating section 1452, subsection a, of title 28 in the U.S.C.

The U.S. Code, a compilation of federal statutes enacted by Congress and signed by the President, is organized into titles numbered from 1 to 54 by topic. It contains almost all of the statutes of general effect at the time of its compilation, but to ensure an up-to-date understanding of the statutes related to a particular topic, one must consult both the U.S. Code and determine whether there have been any pertinent amendments or additions to the law since its compilation. Some commercially published editions of the U.S. Code include editorial notes that detail the changes over time that lie behind current provisions and summarize court decisions and regulations interpreting them. When a judicial opinion or other legal document refers to a particular statutory provision, it will normally cite to its location in the U.S. Code. For example, in Things Remembered, Inc. v. Petrarca, the court dealt with a statute addressing jurisdiction by Federal and state courts in situations of bankruptcy, focusing on the language of “28 U.S.C. § 1452(a)” — which is subsection a, of section 1452, of title 28 of the U.S. Code. This illustrates how the U.S. Code is used as a reference in legal documents and court cases to identify specific statutory provisions related to a particular topic.

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This glossary post was last updated: 17th April 2024.