Legal Definitions - Rev. Stat.

"Rev. Stat." is an abbreviation for Revised Statutes.

This term refers to an official compilation of all the general and permanent laws enacted by a legislative body that are currently in force within a particular jurisdiction. These laws have been systematically organized, updated to include all amendments, and often renumbered or rephrased for clarity and consistency. Revised Statutes serve as the authoritative and comprehensive source for a jurisdiction's statutory law, making it easier for legal professionals and the public to find and understand the current state of the law.

• Example 1: Citing a State Law

  A lawyer in Missouri is preparing a legal brief for a client involved in a contract dispute. To support their argument, the lawyer cites a specific provision from the state's official collection of laws, such as "Mo. Rev. Stat. § 400.2-201," which pertains to the Statute of Frauds for sales contracts. This citation refers directly to the Missouri Revised Statutes, indicating that the lawyer is relying on the current, officially published version of the state's statutory law.

• Example 2: Public Research of Regulations

  A homeowner in Texas wants to understand the legal requirements for building a fence on their property, including setback rules and neighbor notification. They would consult the "Texas Revised Civil Statutes" or the relevant sections of the "Texas Statutes" (which are organized similarly to revised statutes) to find the specific property and zoning laws. This allows them to access the most current and official legal text governing their construction project.

• Example 3: Integrating New Legislation

  After a state legislature passes a new law establishing stricter penalties for distracted driving, this new statute, once it officially takes effect, will be incorporated into the state's existing Revised Statutes during the next legislative update cycle. This ensures that the Revised Statutes remain a comprehensive and up-to-date record of all active general laws, reflecting the latest legislative changes and making them accessible to anyone researching traffic laws.