Internet Research The Basics of Research

Legal Research Goal is to find primary law that controls a factual situation Research materials include primary sources of law and secondary sources of law Secondary sources—help us find and understand the primary sources

LAWS and GOVERNMENT Laws originate with some branch of government LEGISLATIVE—Statutory (Codes) JUDICIAL—Case law EXECUTIVE AND ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCIES –Regulations

Federal and State Different laws exist for federal and state governments In California we are concerned with federal law and California law General types of law are same

Primary Sources Constitutions Statutes Case Law Ordinances Administrative Regs

Primary law Public documents No copyright protection in the law Primary law found widely on the Internet

Chapter 4: Finding and Using the Law Secondary Sources Dictionaries Encyclopedias Form Books Periodicals Treatises Digests

Secondary Sources Privately published Copyright protections

Chapter 4: Finding and Using the Law Federal Case Law ( In Print ) United States Reports (U.S.) Supreme Court Reporter (S.Ct.) Lawyer’s Edition (L.Ed.) Federal Reports (F.) Federal Supplement (F.Supp.) Specialty Reporters

Chapter 4: Finding and Using the Law State Case Law Official Reporters Unofficial Reporters –Regional Reporters

CALIFORNIA CASE REPORTERS CALIFORNIA REPORTS = Cal. Official reporter for California Supreme Court CALIFORNIA APPELLATE REPORTS = Cal. App.--- Official reporter for California Appellate Courts CALIFORNIA REPORTER = Cal. Rptr. Unofficial reporter for both courts PACIFIC REPORTER = P. Unofficial reporter for Cal. Supreme Ct. cases

U.S. Courts

CALIFORNIA COURT SYSTEM