Research skills
How to read a statute, regulation, and court decision
A repeatable method for separating statutory text, agency policy, court holdings, dicta, and internet commentary.
Last reviewed 2026-08-29. General education only—not legal advice. Verify current law and consult a qualified attorney for advice about your facts.
Identify the source and authority
A statute is enacted law. A regulation is an agency rule made under delegated authority. A policy may guide employees without creating the same legal obligations as a statute. A judicial opinion applies law to facts; a headline or social-media caption is not a holding.
Read beyond the first sentence
Find definitions, exceptions, effective dates, enforcement provisions, geographic scope, and cross-references. Then check whether a later amendment or court decision changed the result. Save the official URL and access date.
Build a claim table
For every public-facing claim, record: the exact claim, the source, the jurisdiction, the date checked, the facts assumed, the uncertainty, and the practical safety guidance. If one field is missing, downgrade the language or label the item a research lead.