A statute is a formal, written law of a country or state, written and enacted by its legislative authority, perhaps to then be ratified by the highest executive in the government, and finally published. Typically, statutes command, prohibit, or declare policy. Statutes are sometimes referred to as legislation or "black letter law." In many countries, published statutes are organized in topical arrangements called codes, such as the United States Code. In the United States, statutory law is dist… (More on Statute)