How to read a statute section - a plain guide for legal research

Short answer: read a statute section from the outside in. Confirm the citation and where the section sits in the code. Find the definitions that apply to it. Read each subsection with its "and" and "or" in mind. Follow every cross-reference. Check effective dates and history notes. Then read the court decisions that applied it.

1. The citation

In most Texas codes the number before the dot is the chapter. In the U.S. Code the title number comes first.

2. Where the section sits

The title, chapter and subchapter headings tell you the subject and, often, the scope. A section in "Subchapter C. Security Deposits" is read alongside the other sections of that subchapter. Read the neighbouring sections too.

3. Definitions first

Most chapters have a definitions section near the start, such as "In this subchapter, 'security deposit' means…". A defined term means exactly what the definition says, even where everyday usage differs. Check whether the definition applies to the whole code, the chapter or only the subchapter.

4. The structure of the section

Watch the small words:

• "and" at the end of a list usually means every item is required.
• "or" means any one is enough.
• "shall" imposes a duty; "may" gives permission or discretion.
• "notwithstanding" signals that this provision wins over another.
• "except as provided in" sends you to an exception elsewhere.

5. Follow the cross-references

Phrases like "under Section 92.103" or "as defined in section 101(a)" are part of the rule. Open each referenced section before you decide what the section means.

6. Dates and history

History notes (for example "Acts 1983, 68th Leg., … eff. Jan. 1, 1984") show when the text was enacted or amended. A case decided before an amendment may have applied different wording, so compare the dates.

7. How courts applied it

Statutory text is the starting point. Decisions show how courts read ambiguous words, which facts satisfied the section, and how it interacts with other rules. Find the decisions that cite the section, starting with your jurisdiction's highest court.

Doing this in LegiMatch

The Statutes page shows each U.S. Code and state code section's official heading, its place in the code and its full text. It lists the decisions in our library that cite it and links to the official source. You can also describe a topic in plain words to find sections that may be relevant. It shows official text only, not advice.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between "shall" and "may" in a statute?

"Shall" usually imposes a mandatory duty, and "may" usually gives permission or discretion. Courts sometimes read them differently in context, so check how courts in your jurisdiction have treated the specific section.

Where do I find a statute's definitions?

Usually in a definitions section near the start of the chapter or subchapter, or in a general definitions section for the whole code. Check which part of the code each definition covers.

Why does the effective date matter?

The version of a statute in force when the events happened usually governs. If the section was amended later, older decisions may have applied different wording.

Is the statute text enough to answer a legal question?

Rarely on its own. Regulations, other sections and court decisions often shape what a section means in practice.

Sources

• Office of the Law Revision Counsel, "About the United States Code" (uscode.house.gov)
• Texas Legislative Council, Code Construction Act, Tex. Gov't Code ch. 311