Finding the Answers to Legal Questions

by Virginia M. Tucker, Marc Lampson

Overview

Whether for self-representation, to be an informed consumer of legal services, or to learn the U.S. legal system, more people than ever are using the library to obtain legal information and legal research advice. The new edition of Finding the Answers to Legal Questions is a comprehensive guide to help librarians confidently assist users in finding the legal information they need. Newly revised and updated, this timely, clearly organized, and easy-to-use resource is packed with guidance to help librarians answer questions that span the gamut of the law. An ideal book for practicing librarians looking to better serve users' legal needs, as well as for students preparing for careers as librarians, it provides

• an overview of fundamental legal information, including the basic structure of the U.S. legal system and primary law;
• how-to instructions for finding primary law in print sources, free websites, and pay-for-view databases;
• information on how to evaluate the trustworthiness of online and print resources;
• tips for conducting a legal reference interview;
• guidance for handling common legal questions, such as lawsuits, family law, landlord-tenant disputes, wills and estate planning, debt, bankruptcy, employment, and criminal law; and
• advice on how to build a basic legal reference collection.

This book will help librarians connect users to the most accurate, up-to-date legal information.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838917022
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	01/12/2018
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	232
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Dr. Virginia M. Tuckeris currently assistant professor at the School of Information at San José State University. She was the County Law Librarian in Bellingham, Washington, for over ten years. Prior to joining the School of Information faculty, she was an information architect and client training manager at Dialog/Thomson (now ProQuest) and the Physics Librarian at Stanford University. Dr. Tucker has a PhD in information systems from Queensland University of Technology, an MLS from the University of California at Berkeley, a BA from Stanford University in music composition, and a paralegal certificate. Virginia received the prestigious Liberty Bell Award in 2010 from her local bar association for her "outstanding work in helping the public gain a better understanding of the law." In 2016, the bar association honored her with the annual award for “Dedication to the Spirit of the Law.” As a volunteer, she has created websites for the Whatcom County Bar Association and LAW Advocates, the local legal aid group. She served for several years on the board of the non-profit Dispute Resolution Center and has taught CLE workshops on legal research in Bellingham and Seattle.

Marc Lampson was admitted to the practice of law in 1985. In addition to his law degree, he holds a Masters of Library and Information Science degree with a specialization in law librarianship from the University of Washington. He has practiced both civil and criminal law on the trial and appellate levels and in both federal and state court. Since 1984, he has also taught law students, library and information science students, paralegals, laypeople, and prisoners "legal research," that is, how to find and analyze legal resources. At the Information School at the University of Washington he has taught Research Methods, Information Behavior, and Information in Social Context. Marc currently is the Public Services Attorney and Reference Librarian at the Public Law Library of King County in Seattle, Washington.

Table of Contents

Finding the Answers to Legal Questions, Second Edition Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Figures Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Part I. Foundation FIFTY-ONE LEGAL SYSTEMS Legislatures Enact Statutes Courts Make Case Law Trial Courts Intermediate Appellate Courts Final Appellate Courts CONCLUSION SECONDARY SOURCES GENERALLY Legal Encyclopedias Practice Materials and Forms Loose-Leaf Services Legal Periodicals SECONDARY SOURCES: PAY-FOR-VIEW DATABASES CONCLUSION American Law Reports—Federal Practice and Procedure and Form Books FREE WEB SOURCES FOR FEDERAL LAW Educational Institutions’ Sites General Sources Current Statutes PRIMARY LAW: FEDERAL CASES United States Supreme Court United States Courts of Appeal (aka “Circuit Courts”) United States District Courts Other Federal Courts Print Websites PRIMARY LAW: FEDERAL COURT RULES Websites CONCLUSION ALL-IN-ONE WEBSITES STATE CONSTITUTIONS Statutory Codes Court Decisions Interpreting Statutes State Regulatory Codes Court Decisions Interpreting Administrative Law Opinions from Trial Courts or Courts of Limited Jurisdiction Finding State Appellate Court Decisions for Free Online STATE COURT RULES OTHER STATE-SPECIFIC RESOURCES PRIMARY SOURCES: LOCAL LAW PRIMARY SOURCES: TRIBAL LAW AND FEDERAL INDIAN LAW Part II. Preparation The Reference Interview for Legal Information Needs Legal Information versus Legal Advice Jurisdiction Citations: Known Item Searching Keyword and Subject Searching for Case Law Keyword Subject Searching for Statutes and Regulations Pay-for-View Services: LexisNexis and Westlaw Updating How Much Is Enough? Who Can Help Me Further? REFERENCES LAW LIBRARIES FREE LEGAL HELP About Mediation CHOOSING A LAWYER Knowing the Community Part III. Information FRAMEWORK FOR QUESTIONS IN THIS AREA OF LAW GETTING STARTED Process of a Lawsuit Legal Procedures and Forms Pretrial Stages of a Lawsuit Trial Process Appeals 8. Family Law A Checklist Questions about Marriage Questions When Unmarried and Living Together Questions about Divorce Questions about Parenting Plans Questions about Child Support FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS ABOUT ADOPTION REFERENCES FRAMEWORK FOR QUESTIONS IN THIS AREA OF LAW GETTING STARTED FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS FROM TENANTS FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS FROM LANDLORDS EPILOGUE 10. Wills, Estate Planning, and Probate GETTING STARTED Understanding Key Terms FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS FRAMEWORK FOR QUESTIONS IN THIS AREA OF LAW GETTING STARTED Facing Foreclosure FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS DEBT COLLECTION 12. Bankruptcy Federal Law Governs Currency: Be Sure You Have the Most Recent Information FINDING ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS REFERENCES GETTING STARTED FRAMEWORK FOR QUESTIONS: EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION Resources in Employment Discrimination PRIMARY SOURCES: Federal Law of Employment Discrimination Do-It-Yourself Publications in Employment Discrimination Finding Answers to Frequent Questions about Unemployment Compensation PRIMARY SOURCES: State Statutes about Unemployment Compensation Do-It-Yourself Publications in Unemployment Compensation Finding Answers to Frequent Questions about Workers’ Compensation Resources in Workers’ Compensation Do-It-Yourself Publications in Workers’ Compensation Wrongful Discharge Workplace Privacy CONCLUSION FRAMEWORK FOR QUESTIONS IN THIS AREA OF LAW GETTING STARTED Rights of the Accused Crimes and Criminal Codes Criminal Procedure Criminal Defenses Part IV. Collection PRIMARY LAW WHEN TO USE PRINT SOURCES WHEN TO CHOOSE FREE OR PAY-FOR-VIEW ONLINE DATABASES CONCLUSION 16. Evaluating the Trustworthiness of Websites and Self-Help Law Books Case Law DOMAIN .org AUTHORSHIP SELF-HELP LAW BOOKS CONCLUSION DECIDING WHAT YOUR LIBRARY NEEDS Topical “Clusters” for Your Site Shortcuts: Megaportals and Piggybacking Linking to (and from) Your OPAC Easy Tools for Website Creation Secondhand Book Sources FINAL WORDS REFERENCE Appendix A. Glossary Appendix B. Recommended Legal Sources Online About the Authors Index