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 Statutes may be amended (changed) or repealed (eliminated) by the legislature or Congress or declared unconstitutional (and thus unenforceable) by a court.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 Vermont, as in all states, statutes are laws enacted by the state legislature. These laws, along with federal laws passed by the United States Congress, form a significant portion of the legal framework governing various aspects of life and business within the state. Vermont's statutes address a broad range of issues from criminal law to environmental regulations, and they are essential for attorneys and courts in resolving legal disputes. When interpreting statutes, Vermont courts strive to ascertain the plain meaning of the text. If a statute is deemed ambiguous, courts may look into legislative history and intent to interpret the law correctly. Vermont's statutes are organized into codes based on related subject matter, such as the Vermont Statutes Annotated, which includes titles like the Criminal Code, the Family Code, and the Code of Civil Procedure. The Vermont legislature has the authority to amend or repeal statutes, and the judiciary can strike down statutes as unconstitutional, rendering them unenforceable. It is important for individuals and businesses to consult with an attorney to understand how Vermont's statutes may apply to their specific circumstances.