Which of the following is NOT considered a characteristic of statutes?

The correct choice identifies that statutes are not adopted through common law decisions. Statutes are laws enacted by legislative bodies, such as legislatures, which consist of elected officials. This process involves drafting, proposing, debating, and voting on legislation before it can become law.

Common law, on the other hand, is developed through judicial decisions and precedents established by courts. It evolves over time based on the interpretations and rulings of judges in specific cases. While both statutes and common law play significant roles in the legal system, they originate from different sources.

The other characteristics listed are essential to understanding how statutes function. Statutes are indeed written by legislatures, and they require approval from the executive branch, such as a governor or president, to be enacted. Additionally, statutes must be published in an official manner to ensure that they are accessible to the public, thereby becoming enforceable. This process of publication ensures that individuals can know the law and comply with it, further solidifying the importance of statutes within the legal framework.