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 Statutes may be amended (changed) or repealed (eliminated) by the legislature or Congress or declared unconstitutional (and thus unenforceable) by a court.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 North Dakota, as in all states, statutes are laws that have been enacted by the state legislature or the United States Congress. These laws encompass a broad range of legal areas and are a fundamental source of legal authority. When resolving legal disputes, North Dakota courts interpret and apply these statutes to the facts of each case. The courts strive to discern the clear and plain meaning of the statutory language. If a statute is deemed ambiguous, the courts may look into legislative history and other interpretive aids to ascertain the legislative intent behind the enactment. Statutes in North Dakota, as well as at the federal level, are often organized into codes based on subject matter, such as the North Dakota Century Code, which includes various titles like the penal code, civil code, and others. The legislature has the power to amend or repeal statutes, and courts have the authority to strike down statutes as unconstitutional, rendering them unenforceable. It is important for individuals to consult with an attorney to understand how specific statutes may apply to their circumstances and to receive guidance on the current state of the law.