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The Basics of Finding the Law This is a quick overview of where to find the "law." It is divided by the branch of government and the level of government. To understand what the "law" is on a particular topic, there are likely to be multiple sources that must be considered at the same time. It is often a good idea to start your research by using a secondary source. This basic description shows the relationship among the various sources of law. |
| Level of Government | Legislative Branch | Executive Branch | Judicial Branch |
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The federal legislative branch is called the Congress and it consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. Its responsibility is to make the laws (statutes) of the United States.
The laws of the United States are found in the U.S. Code. The Code is divided into 50 different titles covering many subjects. Learn more about the U.S. Code.
The United States Government Printing Office (GPO) maintains a database of the text of all public and private laws.
The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates in the House and Senate.
Other Resources:
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The executive branch of the Federal Government is responsible for enforcing the laws made by Congress. Its agencies and departments make regulations to implement the laws. Once a year, all federal regulations are compiled into the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). This Code is divided into 50 titles representing various subjects.
Proposed and final regulations, executive orders, and other executive documents are first published in the Federal Register. Search Federal Register issues from 1994 to the present. Learn more about the Federal Register. Tips on using the Federal Register.
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The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws enacted by Congress. More about the judicial branch. The federal district courts are the courts where federal cases are first filed. Each state has at least one district court. More about the U.S. district courts
Court cases in the
federal system are appealed to one of the 13 Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Maryland is in the 4th Circuit.
The United States Supreme Court only accepts federal cases of the highest importance. More about the Supreme Court. Other Resources:
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Also see "How a Bill Becomes a Law in Maryland". |
The Legislative Branch is called the General Assembly and it consists of the Senate and the House of Delegates and is responsible for making the laws (statutes)
The Maryland Code contains the laws of the State of Maryland. It is divided into 28 titles concerning a wide range of subjects.
What are annotations?
Other Resources: Learn more about the Maryland General assembly and the state legislative process. Search the Maryland Constitution. |
The executive branch of the state government contains a variety of agencies and departments that make regulations to help implement Maryland law.
Once a year, all state regulations are compiled into the Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR). This code is divided into 33 titles representing a wide range of subjects.
Proposed and final regulations, executive orders, Attorney General opinions, and agency hearing and meeting notices are published in the Maryland Register.
More on how often government sites are updated. |
The judicial branch is responsible for interpreting the laws made by the General Assembly. It handles civil and criminal court cases. More about the Md judicial system. More about rules of procedure. The Md District Courts handle landlord-tenant cases, motor vehicle, misdemeanors, some felonies, and all civil cases for amounts less than $5000. District Court opinions are not found online. More about the District Courts.
The Md Circuit Courts handle all major civil cases, most serious criminal matters, and appeals from the District Court. More about Md’s Circuit Courts.
The Md Court of Special Appeals reviews
appeals from the Circuit Courts.
The Md Court of Appeals is the highest court
in Md and hears only the cases it deems most
important.
Other Resources:
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Local government legislatures consist of city and county councils. Their job is to make local laws and ordinances. All cities and counties in Maryland maintain a code of their local laws and ordinances. Many of these codes cannot be found online. However, here are some tips on starting your search for local codes. |
The executive branch of city or county governments make some regulations to help implement local laws. These regulations are usually not found online. To find more specific information on local regulations, it is best to go to the city or county website. A list of these sites can be found here | Local governments do not maintain separate court systems. |
