NCJ Number
82324
Date Published
1982
Length
65 pages
Annotation
This guide instructs lay persons on the use of law library resources to answer specific legal questions or research an area of law.
Abstract
The system described for using a law library guides a person in the methodical investigation of each of the many sources which may contain the answers sought. The manual instructs on the different types of law, how they are created, and how they interact. A few chapters are devoted entirely to explaining how the American legal system works, so as to provide background necessary for knowing where to begin or end particular research. Fourteen rules for library use are listed, followed by guidance on how to define the problem occasioning the research in appropriate legal language that will inform the topics researched. The use of general reference sources is described, followed by discussions on how to research State statutes, Federal law, and case law. Guidance is provided on the reading of case law. A chapter is also devoted to 'Shepardizing,' which consists of using Shephard's case law citations to determine the legal status and case law on particular statutes. Also described are uses of sources in law libraries which are not under specific categories of legal materials, Appended are a bibliography of 12 State law research books and 7 general legal research books, a list of looseleaf services, and a State-by-State listing of law libraries.