What purpose do annotations serve in relation to a statute?

Annotations serve a critical purpose in the interpretation of a statute by providing insights into how the statute has been applied in various legal contexts through related cases. By referencing case law, annotations can illustrate judicial interpretations, clarify ambiguities, and show how courts have ruled on issues arising from the statute. This context helps legal practitioners and scholars understand not just the text of the law, but also its practical implications and applications in real-world scenarios.

While definitions of key terms are essential for understanding statutory language and summarizing a statute's history can provide valuable context, the strength of annotations lies in their ability to connect statutory language to judicial interpretations. This connection can significantly influence legal arguments and decision-making processes. Therefore, the primary function of annotations is to assist in the interpretation of the statute through the analysis of related cases.