To locate statutes on a particular topic, start with the index to the annotated code for your jurisdiction. An annotated code is one that includes, in addition to the full text of the statutes, brief summaries of cases interpreting a statutory provision and citations to other research material such as law review articles, legal encyclopedias, and administrative regulations. All states and the federal government have at least one annotated code. The index will direct you to the section or sections within the code where statutory provisions on your topic are located. Code Citations A citation to a code section acts like an address.
Citations vary depending on the format the jurisdiction uses.
This code includes the text of the statutes and annotations to cases, law review articles, and other materials that are applicable to each section. The law library has an annotated code from each of the fifty states. They are shelved on the fourth floor in alphabetical order, beginning with Alabama and ending with Wyoming. Many states have their laws available over the Internet, along with other legislative information. A good resource that compiles links to state legislation and codes is maintained by Cornell University at this site .