Searching
This proximity connector forces search terms to appear in the same sentence
What is /s?
A typically multi-volume resource that comments broadly, but shallowly, on all legal topics in a jurisdiction. Used when the researcher would like background information on a legal topic.
What is a legal encyclopedia?
C.C.R. is short for this.
What is California Code of Regulations?
This type of record chronologically lists all documents filed in a court case from beginning to end
What is a docket (or docket sheet)?
Opinions from this level of California court are non-precedential.
What are Superior Courts?
Using this punctuation mark at the end of a word will retrieve all variations of that word
What is an exclamation point (root expander)?
A scholarly, academic-focused source that analyzes a specific legal issue in depth. Valued for current commentary on contemporary topics, particularly circuit splits.
What is a law review article?
In California, this publication containing proposed regulations is nicknamed for the last letter of its issue numbers
What is the California Notice Register (or Z-register)?
These parts of opinions summarize points of law but cannot be cited as authority
What are headnotes?
This citator signal color indicates pending legislation.
What is yellow?
Use these punctuation marks to retrieve an exact multi-word phrase
What are quotation marks?
A free, online resource you should consult if you are not familiar with the encyclopedias, treatises, and practice guides in a jurisdiction
What is a law library treatise guide?
PL 110-44 is this kind of source.
What is a public law?
This kind of case citation: AIU Ins. Co. v. Superior Court, 51 Cal. 3d 807, 799 P.2d 1253, 274 Cal. Rptr. 820 (1990).
What is a parallel citation?
The number of times this statute has been amended: (Pub.L. 95-598, Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2622; Pub.L. 98-353, Title III, § 494, July 10, 1984, 98 Stat. 383; Pub.L. 109-8, Title V, § 501(a), Apr. 20, 2005, 119 Stat. 118.)
What is 3?
When researching a novel legal issue with unfamiliar terminology, this search method often yields better initial results. (2 possible answers; finding methods, not sources)
What is natural language searching? (or TOC browsing)
This legal research platform--one of the "big two"-- does not provide access to Rutter Guides
What is Lexis?
This legislative history document is the most persuasive evidence of legislative intent (other than the statutory language itself).
What is a Committee Report? (or conference report)
Case reporter where decisions of the U.S. District Courts are published
What is the Federal Supplement?
This new Westlaw feature helps identify cases implicitly overruled by later decisions
What is overruling risk?
This frequency connector helps find cases that discuss a statutory phrase multiple times throughout the opinion rather than just quoting it once
What is "atleast"?
RAPID RESEARCH: The legal encyclopedia you would consult for a broad summary of an Ohio-specific legal issue. (Include the most recent edition number.)
Ohio Jurisprudence 3d.
This source arranges and publishes federal statutes chronologically before they are cofidied into the U.S.C.
What are the United States Statutes at Large? (aka session laws)
This publication contains "unpublished" federal cases since 2001
What is the Federal Appendix?
The 98 in Pub. L. 98-353 means this.
The law was passed by the 98th Congress.