# Law No. 3885 of February 2, 1961

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105648037](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105648037)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-3885-of-february-2-1961

## Summary
Law No. 3885 of February 2, 1961, is a Brazilian statute enacted to create complementary cadres within the Ministry of the Navy. Promulgated by President Jânio Quadros, the law specifically establishes personnel structures for the Navy Corps, the Marine Corps, and Navy Intendants.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 3885, de 2 de fevereiro de 1961.
- **Classification:** Statute (a formal written document that creates law; a subclass of written work, document, and rule).
- **Jurisdiction:** Federative Republic of Brazil.
- **Promulgation Date:** February 2, 1961.
- **Approving Authority:** Jânio Quadros, Presidency of the Republic.
- **Primary Subject:** Creation of complementary cadres (quadros complementares) for the Ministry of the Navy.
- **Affected Military Branches:** Navy Corps (Corpos da Armada), Marine Corps (Fuzileiros Navais), and Navy Intendants (Intendentes de Marinha).
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese.
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil.
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 3885/1961.
- **Digital Identifier:** LexML Brazil ID `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-02-02;3885`.
- **Official Source:** Available via the Presidency of the Republic (planalto.gov.br).

## FAQs
**What is the main purpose of Law No. 3885 of 1961?**
The law was enacted to create "quadros complementares" (complementary cadres) within the Brazilian Ministry of the Navy. This administrative restructuring specifically targeted the Navy Corps, the Marine Corps, and the Navy Intendants.

**Who was the Brazilian head of state responsible for this law?**
The law was approved and promulgated by President Jânio Quadros. It was issued on February 2, 1961, shortly after the national capital had been moved to Brasília.

**Is the text of Law No. 3885 protected by copyright?**
As a statute and official legal document of the Brazilian government, it falls under the general principle that legislative enactments are public domain. This aligns with the "edict of government doctrine," which ensures that the laws governing the public are freely accessible and not subject to copyright restrictions.

**Where can I find the official record of this legislation?**
The law is indexed in the LexML Brazil system and the full text is hosted on the official portal of the Presidency of the Republic (Planalto). It is also a subject of interest for the WikiProject Brazilian Laws.

## Why It Matters
Law No. 3885 serves as a formal manifestation of statutory law, representing the concrete exercise of government authority over military organization. By establishing complementary cadres for the Navy, it provided the necessary legal framework for personnel management and hierarchical structure within the Ministry of the Navy during a transitional period in Brazilian history. As a statute, it functions as a definitive reference point for the rule of law, ensuring that military administrative changes are documented, enforceable, and accessible to the public. Furthermore, its classification as a statute links it to global legal standards, such as the `https://schema.org/Legislation` ontology, facilitating its integration into international legal knowledge bases.

## Notable For
- **Early Brasília Legislation:** One of the earlier laws published in Brasília following its inauguration as the capital in April 1960.
- **Presidential Promulgation:** Signed by Jânio Quadros during his brief tenure as the President of Brazil.
- **Specific Military Focus:** Directly impacted three distinct branches of the Brazilian naval forces: the Armada, the Fuzileiros Navais, and the Intendentes.
- **Standardized Identification:** Assigned a unique LexML URN for persistent digital identification within the Brazilian legal system.
- **Public Domain Status:** Notable for being an official government edict, ensuring it remains part of the public commons for legal and historical research.

## Body

### Legislative Classification and Context
Law No. 3885 is categorized as a **statute**, which is defined as a formal written document that creates law. Within legal taxonomy, it is an instance of a "legal term or legal concept" and a subclass of "written work," "document," and "rule." As a manifestation of statutory law, its creation followed the standard legislative process, beginning as a "draft law" before being enacted through "legislation." 

### Scope and Naval Organization
The primary function of Law No. 3885 was the creation of **complementary cadres** (quadros complementares) within the **Ministry of the Navy of Brazil**. This restructuring applied to three specific naval bodies:
*   **Corpos da Armada (Navy Corps):** The primary combat and operational branch of the navy.
*   **Fuzileiros Navais (Marine Corps):** The amphibious warfare branch.
*   **Intendentes de Marinha (Navy Intendants):** The branch responsible for administration, logistics, and finance.

The law serves as the legal norm governing the composition and existence of these specific military cadres.

### Administrative and Geographical Details
The law was promulgated on **February 2, 1961**, in **Brasília**, the capital of the Federative Republic of Brazil. It was approved by the **Presidency of the Republic** under the administration of **Jânio Quadros**. The document is written in **Brazilian Portuguese** and is officially cited as **Lei nº 3885/1961**.

### Digital Access and Identifiers
To ensure transparency and accessibility, Law No. 3885 is integrated into several digital systems:
*   **LexML Brazil:** It is identified by the URN `urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-02-02;3885`.
*   **Planalto Portal:** The full text is available at the official website of the Brazilian Presidency.
*   **WikiProject Brazilian Laws:** The law is included in the focus list of Wikimedia projects dedicated to documenting Brazilian legislation.

### Legal Status and Public Policy
In accordance with the "edict of government doctrine," Law No. 3885 is considered to be in the **public domain**. This policy ensures that official legal documents, including legislative enactments and administrative rulings, are not subject to copyright. This status is vital for the principle of open government, allowing citizens and administrators in Brazil and abroad to access the definitive text of the law without restriction. This aligns with global standards where statutes are generally exempt from copyright to reinforce the rule of law and public accessibility.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1961-02-02;3885)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=3885&ano=1961&data=02/02/1961&ato=74aATRE5keVRVTe34)
3. LexML Brasil