Statutes are laws passed by state legislatures (state laws) and by the United States Congress (federal laws). Statutes are one of the primary sources of law in the United States (sometimes referred to as statutory law) and cover a wide variety of legal topics. Courts often rely on statutes to resolve legal disputes (lawsuits) by applying the relevant statutes to the particular set of factual circumstances underlying the dispute.

Courts generally seek the clear and plain meaning of a statute, and if the court finds a statute ambiguous or “ambiguous on its face” (looking only at the words as written) the court may attempt to determine what the legislature intended in enacting the statute—known as legislative intent.

Related statutes are sometimes compiled in groups and referred to as codes—such as the penal code, the family code, or the code of civil procedure. Statutes may be amended (changed) or repealed (eliminated) by the legislature or Congress or declared unconstitutional (and thus unenforceable) by a court.

In Maine, as in other states, statutes are laws enacted by the state legislature or the United States Congress. These statutes encompass a broad range of legal areas and serve as a fundamental source of law, often guiding courts in resolving legal disputes. When interpreting statutes, Maine courts strive to discern the clear and plain meaning of the legislative text. If a statute is deemed ambiguous, the courts may look into legislative history and intent to understand what the legislature aimed to achieve when passing the law. Statutes in Maine, similar to other jurisdictions, can be organized into codes based on related subject matter, such as the penal code for criminal laws or the family code for matters related to family law. The Maine Legislature has the authority to modify or repeal statutes, and the judiciary can invalidate statutes by declaring them unconstitutional. It is important for individuals to consult with an attorney to understand how current statutes may apply to their specific legal issues.