Statute Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Statute.

Statute (noun):

A statute is a formal written law that is passed by a legislative body such as the U.S. Congress at the federal level or a state legislature at the state level. It includes everything from the introduction (also known as the pre-amble) to the details about how the law must be enforced or implemented. While similar to other kinds of legal rules, it is not the same as regulations (standards set by government agencies), ordinances (laws set by city or county governments), rulings (decisions made by judges), orders (directives issued by an authority), or proclamations (public or official announcements). Statutes directly shape our legal system and guide society's behavior.