Research in Primary Authority: Enacted Law Kyle K. Courtney Northeastern University Law

Plan for Today All About Statutes and Constitutions Review Constitutions and Amendments Review Statutes (and their creation) a.k.a. ♫ I’m Just a Bill ♫ Finding statutes by subject Find statutes by “popular name” Session Laws

Where are we in the stages of a Research Plan? familiarize yourself with the area of law – secondary sources locate, read, and analyze primary authority make sure primary authority is good law – cite check, validate, update when appropriate, locate additional primary and secondary authorities

What is a constitution? Highest law of any democratic regime States the structure of the government, powers of the government, and limits on the government’s authority. United States Constitution 1781 Articles of Confederation 1789 U.S. Constitution Followed immediately by the Bill of Rights (the first 10 Amendments)

How to Amend the U.S. Constitution A proposed Amendment first must pass two- thirds of both Houses of Congress or the legislature of two-thirds of the states. It then must be ratified by three-fourths of the states. In 200 years only 27 Amendments have ever made it through this entire process.

U.S. Constitution (cont’d) Creates the three branches of government Created Congress and empowers it to enact legislation (and limits that power as well). Created the federal court system: Defines the jurisdiction of the federal courts Creates process for nominating S.C. Justices Grants Congress right to create lower fed. cts. Presidential Powers – veto, treaties, etc.

State Constitutions Similar to Federal Constitution More frequently Amended Public initiative, Public referendum, etc. Mirror the rights of the U.S. Const. May even grant additional rights, as long as they do not conflict with the U.S. Const. Often located at the beginning of a state annotated code or statute

Constitutions in General Broad Principles Many provisions have little detail or explanation Organized by parts and subparts (Articles and Clauses) When researching, Amendments usually appear apart from the constitutions, as separate provisions.

Researching Constitutions (for free!) Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation. From The Founders' Constitution. Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation. From Yale's Avalon Project. Articles of Confederation Constitution Constitution of the United States of America. From Cornell's Legal Information Institute. Constitution of the United States of America Constitution of the United States. From the National Archives and Records Administration. Constitution of the United States Constitution of the United States. From Yale's Avalon Project. Constitution of the United States Text of the Bill of Rights Bill of Rights. From Cornell's Legal Information Institute. Bill of Rights Bill of Rights. From The Founders' Constitution. Includes the text of Amendments 1 to 10, along with background documents. Bill of Rights

Researching Constitutions “The Constitution of the United States of America: Analysis and Interpretation” Provides case summaries, historical information, and extensive commentary. American Constitutional Law by Lawrence Tribe. Treatise on constitutional law organized around issues and constitutional functions. The text is heavily footnoted with references to other treatises, law review articles, the U.S. Code, and Supreme Court cases.

Introduction to Statutes The primary source of law generated by the legislative branch of the government is statutory law. The laws enacted by the Congress of the United States and the legislatures of the several states are customarily referred to as statutes. The enactments made on city and county levels are called ordinances.

Statutory law, one of three primary sources of law in this country, is at the heart of a majority of legal research problems. An Act Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Cases Executive Branch Agency Regulations, Decisions Statutes In General Statutes

Bill Passes Congress or State Legislature President or Governor Signs Bill Introduction to Statutes A statute is created when Congress or a state legislature passes a bill, and the president or governor signs it. An Act

Bill Passes Congress or State Legislature President or Governor Signs Bill Introduction to Statutes Once signed, the federal or state bill is published as a Slip Law An Act “Slip Law”

Bill Passes Both Houses of Congress President Signs Bill Public Laws/ Session Laws Introduction to Statutes Session laws contain Public Laws arranged in chronological order.

I’m Just a Bill ♫

Basic Provisions of a Statute Opening Provisions: the statute’s name, its definitions, and scope. Operative Provisions: the general rule, exceptions, consequences of violation, and enforcement provisions. Closing provisions: severability, effective date, “sunset” provisions.

How Cases and Statutes Differ Cases law made by courts decision only applies to parties in case before the court court’s ruling is limited by factual situation in case before it Statutes law made by legislature intended to apply to broad categories of persons intended to address broad categories of situations Constitutions supreme law in a jurisdiction vague and general terms

Mandatory Authority: Cases vs. Statutes Statutes are generally controlling but Cases are needed to interpret statutes Balance of Powers – Statutes can modify, clarify, supplement, or overturn case law Balance of Powers – Cases can decide whether statute applies to facts and can assess constitutionality of statute Both can be new law not previously covered by the other

Research Plan for Issue Covered by Federal or State Statutes, Step 1 Jurisdiction:Federal or State Type of Law:Enacted law (statutes) Preliminary Issue Statement: Step 1: If you are unfamiliar with the area of law, spend 10 to 60 minutes familiarizing yourself with the area of law by in a practice book, in a hornbook, in a Nutshell, in a legal encyclopedia, or in another secondary source.

Research Plan for Issue Covered by Statutes, Step 2 Step 2: Locate, read, and analyze the applicable United States Code/State Code sections and cases that have interpreted or applied those sections. Step 3:Cite check the statutes and cases to make sure that they are still good law. Step 4:If appropriate, locate and read additional primary and secondary authorities.

Bill Passes Both Houses of Congress President Signs Bill Public Laws/ Session Laws Introduction to Statutes Session laws contain Public Laws arranged in chronological order.

Sources for Statutes Slip laws and Session laws published/arranged by date enacted usually not used for most statutory research Annotated and Unannotated Codes arranged by topic include all statutes currently in force unannotated codes – use to get big picture, to narrow search, or to print several sections annotated codes include statute, history, and references to related resources, including cases and secondary sources, updated frequently

Statutes at Large (Stat.) Sources for U.S. Statutes Codes include all statutes currently in force. Codes are arranged in order by topic/subject. United States Code (U.S.C.) The House Office of the Law Revision Counsel

Codification = Arrangement by Topic Notice that the titles and sections in the Public Law change when the statute is codified. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Pub. L. No , 104 Stat. 327 Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. §§

Sources for U.S. Statutes Annotated codes are usually updated more frequently than unannotated codes. United States Code (U.S.C.) U.S.C.S. or U.S.C.A. historical notes references to secondary sources notes of decisions

How to Research Statutes 1.Select an appropriate annotated code 2.Use the index or statutory outlines or popular names table 3.Locate the statute’s current language in the main volume or updating materials 4.Study the correct and complete statutory language 5.Review the annotation: case descriptions, secondary sources, and notes

1. Select an appropriate annotated code Federal Statutes appear in two unofficial codes: United States Code Annotated (USCA) United States Code Service (USCS) Also United States Code (USC) is the official code published by the government The U.S.C. is completely revised approximately every six years. In the intervening years, revisions are made to various titles through cumulative bound supplements. Advantage: the unofficial codes Published frequently Update frequently

FTC Act, 15 U.S.C. § 45(a)

2. Use the Index, Outlines, or Tables Index approach is the best method USCA/USCS both have a multivolume index (issued annually) USCA/USCS also have an individual title index (located at end of the title)

2. Use the Index, Outlines, or Tables Second best method is to use the statute’s outlines First start with a list of titles; Then move to a list of chapters within the title; Then to a list of sections within a chapter.

Federal Trade Commission Act, Beginning of Outline

2. Use the Index, Outlines, or Tables Use the Popular Names TablePopular Names Table Some, but not all, statutes have official or popular names. USCA: Popular Names Table volume USCS Tables volumes include a table of popular names. Ex. National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (“Motor Voter” Law) Ex. “The Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism Act of 2001”

Popular Name Table U.S.C.A.

3. Locate the current language and updating materials Usually, current language will be in the main volume - sometimes it is found in the updates Codes are updated in stages: 1. Pocket part or supplement pamphlet 2. Newer information appears in supplements shelved at end of code. 3. Advanced legislative service provides language of newly enacted laws (no annotated materials)

4.Study the correct and complete statutory language Read through the statute as a whole: Examine the statement and purpose (introductory sections) The definitions and scope The general rule and exceptions Consequences or enforcement provisions Statute’s history, enactment dates, and evolving statutory language Pay close attention to references to different sections or other statutes

5.Review the annotation Biggest advantage: case annotations “Notes of decisions" in the U.S.C.A. and “Interpretive notes and decisions" in the U.S.C.S. Organized topically by a subject index. Check the pocket part! Check both the U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S. when researching a statute - they contain references to different sources. Ex. U.S.C.A., (West), provides West Topic and Key Numbers and refers to other West publications. U.S.C.S refers to A.L.R. annotations and other sources.

**Updating Statutes** For print codes For the U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S., check the pocket part. For the U.S.C., check the bound supplement for the most recent year. The U.S.C.A. and U.S.C.S. both periodically publish softbound pamphlets that update the annual pocket parts. U.S.C.A. - find the most recent softbound pamphlet (usually kept at the end of the set after the General Indexes) and consult the table called "U.S. Code Sections Amended, Repealed, New, Etc.“ The pamphlets are organized by Public Law No. U.S.C.S. - The Cumulative Later Case and Statutory Service is organized by US Code citation and contains new and amended legislation, and new case citations. Use the "Table of Code Sections added, amended, repealed, or otherwise affected.".

**Updating Statutes** Because a lag time exists due to the time it takes to publish these update pamphlets and for libraries to receive them, further updating is always necessary on Lexis, Westlaw, or free Internet sites such as the U.S. House of Representatives or Thomas.

Researching Statutes in Session Laws Occasionally a topic will require research in session laws: If pertinent material is prior to the present code Track changes of code from year to year Session laws contain ALL laws enacted during a legislative session, including private laws and temporary laws that are not codified “private laws” – laws which affect a particular person or specific situation, generally not in code

Researching Statutes in Session Laws Locate the pertinent law by its public law number (from the code) or through the session laws’ subject index United States Statutes at Large (Statues at Large or Stat.) - official compilation of federal session laws. United States Code Congressional and Administrative News (USCCAN) – is the unofficial publication.

Statutes at Large Organized by Public Law Number Find the Public Law Number in an annotated code Ex. Pub.L If no reference to public law number: Statutes at Large volumes contains a subject index that is unique to the acts in that volume Also:

State Session Laws Example Massachusetts The session laws passed by the Massachusetts legislature first appear as slip laws. Later they are officially published in the Acts & Resolves of Massachusetts. Also available online for free at Word and Phrase Searchable

How to Search Statutes in Online Advantage of databases and online formats Information is very current Databases are cumulative Move easily through sections of the statute or to other references

How to Search Statutes in Online Select an appropriate service and code database Run one or more searches Obtain and study the current, correct, and complete statutory language Review the annotations Conduct addition searches as needed

Selecting the Code Database For research  Annotated Code The current USCA and historical versions going back to 1996 are available through Westlaw (USCA) TOC, Popular Name Table, Subject Index, etc. The current USCS is also available for browsing or searching through Lexis (USCS) TOC, Popular Name Table, Statutes at Large Table, etc. United States Code

Selecting the Code Database U.S. Statutes at Large Lexis (USSALT) has the Statutes-at-Large Table which lists Public Laws enacted from 1789 to Present. Westlaw (US-STATLRG) United States Statutes at Large 1789 – Westlaw also has the statutes enacted 1973 to 2004 available for searching. (US-PL-OLD) Public Laws (Slip Laws) Lexis (USCS - Public Laws) Westlaw (US-PL)

Statutes on Public Websites There are many websites that have statutory material, but they vary in depth Credibility Currency of information Means of access Information beyond statutory language itself Focus on legislative websites, government agency sites, or other credible sources.

Statutes on Public Websites Public websites not as useful as fee services or print $$ Free $$

Statutes on Public Websites U.S. Code Official Code is available online: GPO Access Cornell's Legal Information Institute FindLaw U.S. House of Representatives

Statutes on Public Websites Statutes at Large A free site for statutes passed by the 1st through the 42nd Congresses ( ) from the Library of Congress. Slip Laws THOMAS - From the Library of Congress Massachusetts online Statutes -

Constitutions on Public Websites Constitutions Legal Information Institute. Provides links to the constitutions of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Legal Information Institute FindLaw: State Constitutions. Another free site providing links to the constitutions of each of the 50 states. FindLaw: State Constitutions U.S. States and Territories by the Law Library of Congress. A free site providing links to constitutions, statutes, cases, regulations, and other information from each of the 50 states. U.S. States and Territories

Local Ordinances Traditionally, the Town Clerk’s Office Internet Municipal Code Corporation Sterling Codifiers American Legal Publishing

Uniform Act Uniform acts are proposals for statutes drafted by various organizations that seek to standardize the law of the 50 states. (Ex. The Uniform Commercial Code) National Conference on Uniform State Laws American Law Institute Sections of the ABA and the Council of State Governments

What We Covered Today All About Statutes and Constitutions Review Constitutions and Amendments Review Statutes (and their creation) ♫ I’m Just a Bill ♫ Finding statutes by subject Find statutes by “popular name” Session Laws