Scholarly Research

For easier searching and browsing early in your research, you might use an unofficial statutory code on a legal research database. Remember to compare the text with an official version of the code to make sure it is both current and accurate.

United States Code

The official federal statutory code is the United States Code (U.S.C.), which was first published in 1926. Main editions of the U.S.C. are printed every six years. These additions are annually supplemented with a soft-bound volume called a "pocket part," which contains cumulative updates for that title.

All editions of the United States Code as well as prior official federal statutory codes are available on HeinOnline's United States Code Collection.

Ohio Revised Code

Ohio's official statutory code is the Ohio Revised Code (Ohio Rev. Code), which was first published in 1953. There is no official print version of the current Ohio Rev. Code, but there are two unofficial annotated versions in print.

Instead of publishing a print version of the code, the Ohio Legislative Service Commission maintains an official version of the Ohio Revised Code online.

Ohio's prior statutory codes are available as part of HeinOnline's Session Laws Library collection (e.g., the 1910 General Code of the State of Ohio).

Other State Codes

Twenty-two states and the District of Columbia have enacted the Uniform Electronic Legal Material Act (UELMA) and made their official statutory codes freely available online. Otherwise, you can search the Library Catalog for the state code. Note that statutory code naming conventions vary by state (e.g., Consolidated Laws of New York, Illinois Compiled Statutes).

Again, historical statutory codes are available as part of HeinOnline's Session Laws Library collection.