Source policy
Source policy
Our source policy explains which sources we use, how we cite them and how we keep them current.
What counts as a source
- Primary law: constitutions, statutes, court rules, regulations and court decisions.
- Official publishers: legislatures, courts and government printing offices.
- Secondary sources (treatises, restatements, law reviews) only to explain primary law — and labeled as secondary.
How we cite
Each page lists its authorities with the jurisdiction, the specific section or rule, and a link to the official text. Pages show the date their sources were last reviewed.
Keeping sources current
Rules and statutes change. Each page carries a review-due date; when it passes, the page is flagged for re-verification and shows a notice until it is rechecked.
Overview
How our source policy works
Our source policy ranks sources in a simple order. First come primary sources: constitutions, statutes, court rules, regulations and court decisions. Next come official publications from courts and agencies.
Secondary sources, such as treatises and articles, help us understand the law. However, we do not rely on them for the rule itself. Instead, we cite the primary source and link to an official or reliable free copy.
For example, we link federal statutes to the United States Code, federal regulations to the Code of Federal Regulations and federal rules to the federal judiciary. In addition, every page shows when we last checked its sources.
Finally, if a source changes, we update the page. You can report an outdated source through our corrections page.
Lawtopolis provides legal information and education, not legal advice. Using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship. Laws and court rules vary by jurisdiction and change over time; verify every authority against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction about your situation.