MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

LAS211  20026-20035

Introduction to Legal Research

1.

Locate, read, and interpret state and federal statutes using print and electronic media. (I, V, VII, IX)

2.

Locate, read, and interpret state and federal administrative regulations using print and electronic media. (VIII, IX)

3.

Locate, read, and brief state and federal cases using print and electronic media. (I, II, X)

4.

Locate and retrieve public documents using manual and electronic methods. (XI)

5.

Update and verify cases and statutes using print and electronic media. (IV)

6.

Cite cases, statutes, regulations, and secondary sources using proper citation form. (III, VI, VIII)

MCCCD Official Course Outline:

LAS211  20026-20035

Introduction to Legal Research

I. Structure of Printed Cases

A. Running head

B. Citation and parallel citation

C. Page numbers

D. Titles

1. Full case names

2. Short case names

E. Docket number, court, and date

F. Synopsis

G. Key number and headnotes

H. Attorney and judges

I. Authoring judge

J. Parallel citation

K. Text and disposition

II. Locating Case Law

A. Publication of state cases

B. Publication of federal cases

C. West's National Report System

D. Finding parallel cites

E. Printed secondary sources

1. Digests

2. Encyclopedias

3. A.L.R.

4. Legal periodicals

5. Restatements

F. Internet

G. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

III. Citing Cases and Secondary Authority

A. Federal cases

B. State cases

C. Books, pamphlets, and law review articles

D. Short-form citations

E. id, supra, and infra

IV. Updating And Verifying Cases And Statutes

A. Organization and use of printed Shepard's

B. Finding cases and other references

C. Finding parallel cites

D. Determining case validity

E. Finding references to statutes

F. Using on-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

V. Locating Statutory Sources

A. State codes

1. General index

2. Topical index

3. Internet

4. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

B. Federal codes

1. General index

2. Topical index

3. Internet

4. LEXIS

C. Legislative history

1. Print sources

2. Internet

3. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

VI. Citing Statutory Sources

A. Federal and state statutes

B. Subsequent and prior history

VII. Constitutions, Rules of Evidence; Rules of Procedure

A. Locating and citing federal material

1. Print sources

2. Internet

3. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

B. Locating and citing state material

1. Print sources

2. Internet

3. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

VIII. Locating Administrative Sources

A. Arizona Administrative Code

1. Printed version

2. Internet

3. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

B. Code of Federal Regulations

1. Internet

2. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

C. Federal Register

1. Internet

2. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

D. Citing administrative sources

IX. Reading and Interpreting Statutory and Administrative Material

A. General format

B. Assistance provided by annotated references

C. Using the Uniform Laws Annotated

D. Courts' interpretation

E. Legislative history

F. Comparison with other statutes and regulations

X. Reading and Briefing Cases

A. Parties

B. Procedural history

C. Facts

D. Issues

E. Holdings

F. Rationale

XI. Locating and Retrieving Public Documents

A. Federal Freedom of Information Act

B. Internet

C. On-line services such as LEXIS or Westlaw

D. Government agencies