Primary source refers to sources of law. These include texts of legal bodies which include rules that govern a jurisdiction.
All branches of government produce laws and regulations. Understanding the legal system helps focus your research. This chart reviews the process of enacting federal law. State law is produced in a similar manner.
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The Constitution
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Branch of Govt.
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Judicial
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Legislative
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Executive
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Type of Law Produced
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Case Law
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Statutes
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Regulations
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Chronological Publication of Law
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Case Law Reporters
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Session Laws (Stat. at Large)
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↓
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The Federal Register
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↓
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Publication of Law By Subject
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None
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United States Code (USC)
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Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
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Laws and regulations are published in codes by subject. Case law is not published by subject.
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