U.S. Code 

• Federal statutes which are of a “general and permanent” nature are compiled into the United States Code.

• Private laws are not included in the Code.

• The Government Publishing Office publishes a new edition of the Code every six years and publishes annual supplements in each of the five intervening years.

• The Code is divided into titles, with each title covering a different subject.

• For example, title 5 covers Government Organization and Employees, whereas title 18 deals with Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

• And each of these titles are divided into different sections.

• (Strictly speaking, the titles are composed of parts, which are composed of chapters, which are composed of sections.)

• For example, section 7301 of title 5 covers the authority of the President to prescribe regulations for the code of conduct of executive branch employees.

• We cite the United States Code with a title number, followed by U.S.C., a section number, and the edition of the Code you are citing.

• For example, 5 U.S.C § 7301 (2016) refers to section 7301 of title 5 of the U.S. Code and indicates that you are citing the 2016 edition of the Code.  

• You can view the United States Code here.

Written By: Aiden Singh Published: February 11, 2021