Intro to Paralegal Studies Practice

Which of the following best describes a statute?

1. A law enacted by the state legislature or Congress

2. A rule created by an administrative agency

3. A principle derived from judicial decisions

4. An act of a local government

The correct answer is: A law enacted by the state legislature or Congress

A statute is best described as a law enacted by a legislative body such as a state legislature or Congress. Statutes are formal written laws that have been passed through the legislative process, which typically includes drafting, debating, and voting on proposed laws. Once a statute is enacted, it has the force of law and applies to all individuals and entities within the jurisdiction where it was created. Statutes differ from other forms of law. For instance, rules created by administrative agencies are often more specific regulations designed to implement broader statutes. Judicial decisions, or case law, interpret and apply statutes and may set legal precedents, but they are not statutes themselves. Similarly, acts of local governments refer to ordinances or regulations enacted on a municipal level, which are different from state or federal statutes. Therefore, the correct description of a statute is its nature as a formal law created by a legislative body.