Q UINCY COLLEGE Paralegal Studies Program Paralegal Studies Program Legal Research & Writing LAW-215 Statutory Law Part 2

U.S. Code “The official source, but not a practical tool for research.” Slow publication schedule, (8 months – 2 years. out of date). New edition every 6 years. Annual hardbound supplement volumes. Slow publication schedule, (8 months – 2 years. out of date). New edition every 6 years. Annual hardbound supplement volumes. Lacks helpful research references or “annotations,” e.g., secondary sources and case law. Lacks helpful research references or “annotations,” e.g., secondary sources and case law.

Annotated Codes “The starting point for statutory research.” Federal Federal United States Code Service (USCS). United States Code Service (USCS). Print Volumes (Lexis) Online (LexisNexis) United States Code Annotated (USCA). United States Code Annotated (USCA). Print Volumes (Thompson/West) Online (Westlaw).

United States Code Service (Lexis) U.S.C.S. provides the following “extra” features: U.S.C.S. provides the following “extra” features: History; Ancillary laws and directives History; Ancillary laws and directives Code of Federal Regulations references Code of Federal Regulations references Cross references Cross references Research guide Research guide Interpretive notes and decisions Interpretive notes and decisions

United States Code Annotated (Thompson/West) U.S.C.A. provides the following “extra” features: U.S.C.A. provides the following “extra” features: Historical notes Historical notes Cross references Cross references Library references Library references Westlaw electronic research Westlaw electronic research Code of Federal Regulations references Code of Federal Regulations references Notes of decisions Notes of decisions

Advantages of Annotated Codes Legislative History Information: Legislative History Information: More detailed information, including summaries, explanations, references and statutory notes for amending legislation. Cites to some LH docs., e.g. House & Senate reports. More detailed information, including summaries, explanations, references and statutory notes for amending legislation. Cites to some LH docs., e.g. House & Senate reports. Cross-References to Related Code Sections. Cross-References to Related Code Sections. Some references to related Administrative Regulations. Some references to related Administrative Regulations.

Legislative History Information United States Code Annotated

Advantages of Annotated Codes Case Law Abstracts Case Law Abstracts “Head note like” abstracts of decisions that have applied or interpreted a U.S.C. section. “Head note like” abstracts of decisions that have applied or interpreted a U.S.C. section. USCA “Notes of Decisions” USCA “Notes of Decisions” USCS “Interpretative Notes and Decisions” USCS “Interpretative Notes and Decisions”

Case Law Abstracts United States Code Annotated

Advantages of Annotated Codes Frequent Updates: Frequent Updates: Annual pocket part or pamphlet supplements. Annual pocket part or pamphlet supplements. Interim quarterly and monthly pamphlet supplements. Interim quarterly and monthly pamphlet supplements.  Cumulative Later Case & Statutory Service (USCS).  Advance Pamphlets (USCS).  Advance statutory supplements (USCA).  U.S. Code Congressional & Administrative News.

Annotations to Secondary Sources and Research Tools West Digest topic and key number cites (USCA) West Digest topic and key number cites (USCA) Electronic research guidance (LexisNexis & Westlaw). Electronic research guidance (LexisNexis & Westlaw). Legal encyclopedia references. (C.J.S. & AmJur 2d). Legal encyclopedia references. (C.J.S. & AmJur 2d). American Law Reports (A.L.R.) cites. American Law Reports (A.L.R.) cites. Legal periodical cites. Legal periodical cites.

Secondary Annotations United States Code Annotated

Research Techniques for Locating Statutes To locate federal or state statues, there are three techniques: To locate federal or state statues, there are three techniques: Descriptive word approach Descriptive word approach Title/topic approach Title/topic approach Popular name approach Popular name approach

Updating Federal Statutory Research U.S.C.U.S.C.A.U.S.C.S. Read statute in main hardbound volume. Check hardbound supplements Check annual pocket part or softcover supplements Check slip laws, U.S. Law Week, or USCCAN Check U.S.C.A.’s Statutory Supplements Check U.S.C.S.’s Cumulative Later Case and Statutory Service Check slip laws, U.S. Law Week, or USCCAN Check the GPO Web site

End of Statutory Law Part 2 End of Statutory Law Part 2