Penal code lookup for criminal defense and prosecution research

CaseCode supports penal code lookup for federal criminal statutes, most of which sit in Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Open a section, read the current text, and follow it to the opinions that interpret its elements. State penal code coverage is expanding.

Try the citation check

Find the statute and its elements

Search by offense name or by section number. CaseCode shows the text and the cases that cite it, so you can check how courts treat each element.

Case type codes versus statute sections

Court case type codes classify a case for filing and docketing, for example criminal or civil. A penal code section defines the offense. They are different systems. Our blog explains criminal case type codes and how to read them.

Check the citations in your motion

Paste a motion to suppress or a sentencing memo and confirm that each statute and case citation is real before you file.

Related: citation checker, pricing, features.

Questions

Does it cover state penal codes?

The federal code is complete. State statute coverage grows over time.

Check your next brief before you file

Every case and statute citation matched to the source, with a status you can read in seconds.