STATUTE

an act of the legislature, adopted under its constitutional authority, by prescribed means and in certain form, so that it becomes the law governing conduct within its scope. Statutes are enacted to prescribe conduct, define crimes, create inferior government bodies, appropriate public monies, and in general to promote the public welfare.

Compare common law; judge-made law; ordinance; police power.

see declaratory statutes; severable statute. Source: Barron's Dictionary of Legal Terms, Steven H. Gifis, 5th Edition; © 2016