About Federal, State, & Local Codes
Codes are subject-organized compilations of laws that are currently in force at the federal level (the United States Code), in each state (e.g., Michigan Compiled Laws), and in cities or townships (local ordinances).
Instead of reading laws in the order they were passed, codes group them by topic so you can quickly find the current rule that applies to your question.
Use a code to locate the exact wording of a law, see where it lives within the broader legal framework, and confirm you’re looking at the most up-to-date version.
Tip: Annotated codes include research notes (case summaries, history, references); official codes provide the law’s text without commentary.
United States Code
The United States Code includes all current federal laws, organized by subject (codified).
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United States Code Annotated (Westlaw Campus Research)
The United States Code Annotated (U.S.C.A.) includes the same text and arrangement of the laws as the United States Code, and adds notes, cross-references, and other information.
Open the "Federal Materials Tab."
Off-campus access requires EMU NetID authentication.
Print copy - Law Reference - 2nd Level North - KF 62 1927 .T4x -
United States Code (HeinOnline)Off-campus access requires EMU NetID authentication.
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United States Code (free)The United States Code (U.S.C.) contains the text of all current federal laws arranged by subject. While it is the official federal legal code, it does not include any additional information, such as histories or references to court cases.
Federal Public & Private Laws
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United States Statutes at LargeThe United States Statutes at Large (Stat.) contains the full text of all public and private laws passed by Congress. It is arranged chronologically.
Location - Law Reference - 2nd Level North - KF 50 .U5 -
United States Statutes at Large (HeinOnline)Off-campus access requires EMU NetID authentication.
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United States Statutes at Large (free)Coverage: 82nd (1951) through the present session of Congress.
Michigan State Code
The Michigan Compiled Laws (M.C.L.) contains the text of all current Michigan public laws arranged by subject.
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Michigan Compiled Laws (Michigan Legislature Website) (free)Official collection of current Michigan statutes organized by subject matter.
Print copy - LAW REF - 2nd Level North - KFM 4225 (1895 to 2003) -
Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated (Westlaw Campus Research)The Michigan Compiled Laws Annotated (M.C.L.A.) contains the same text and arrangement of current Michigan public laws as the Michigan Compiled Laws, and adds notes, cross-references, and other information.
Navigate to the "State Materials" tab, and then "Michigan."
NOTE: Disable pop-up blockers for full use of functions, including printing.
Off-campus access requires EMU NetID authentication.
Print copy - Law Reference - 2nd Level North - KFM 4230 1948 .A44 -
Public and Local Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan (free)Official publication of laws passed by the Michigan Legislature. Arranged in public law number order. 1995 to present.
Other State Codes
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State Codes (Westlaw Campus Research)Navigate to Statutes & Court Rules, and then select the state of interest.
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FindLaw's State Resources: State Codes (free site)Provides links to the codes and legislatures of all fifty states.
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National Survey of State LawsQuickly compare how different states handle topics such as lemon laws, computer crimes, whistleblowing, child abuse, protective orders, and stalking (includes citations to each state’s code).
Michigan Local Ordinances
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Municode: Michigan (free)List of links to many Michigan cities’ and townships’ ordinances
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Michigan Townships (free)Find contact information for Michigan townships. Many township websites will include their local rules and ordinances.