What should you do at Step 5 of the process for researching a statutory issue?

In the process for researching a statutory issue, Step 5 focuses on reading the potentially relevant statutes critically. This step is essential as it allows you to interpret the law accurately, taking into consideration its language, context, and how it aligns with the facts of the case you are examining.

Critically reading the statutes means not only understanding the text but also analyzing the implications of its provisions, identifying how it interacts with other laws, and recognizing any areas that may require deeper investigation or clarification. This thorough examination is crucial for formulating sound legal arguments and determining the applicability of the statute to specific situations.

Other steps in the research process might include summarizing findings, consulting secondary sources, or addressing conflicting regulations, but none of these activities can take the place of the critical examination of the statutory language itself. Understanding the statute is foundational to all subsequent analysis and application in legal research.