newton free library legal reference class legal information literacy

1. Newton Free LibraryLegal Reference Class Legal Information Literacy Basics in Legal Research: Print and Electronic Resources

2. Librarians: Limits & Disclaimers �Legal reference does not include interpretation or advice.� �The patron must read, analyze and interpret the material�� �The librarian may direct you to cases, statutes, and sources, but that does not mean those are the only ones that might apply to your situation.� This class is intended to be a first step for the layman, to begin to learn about legal resources available to the general public.

3. Class Goals Understand the origins of law Define sources: primary and secondary. Concentrate on Massachusetts and local law. Review selected print resources. Find legal information online. Learn about Newton Free Library resources. Read a legal citation. Answer the class exercises.

4. Class Exercises Find a pending bill and a new law Find a law by popular name, by text Find a regulation Find a case Find a legal form Find a lawyer; find the lawyer�s rating Find a Newton ordinance

5. Understand the Origins of the LawGoverning Documents, Branches of Government

6. Defining Sources of Law:Primary and Secondary The Library of Congress Law Library offers a Research Help Guide at http://www.loc.gov/law/help/ �The materials used for legal research are generally divided into two broad categories: primary sources and secondary sources.�� --Library of Congress Law Library

7. What are Primary Sources? �Primary sources are statements of the law from a governmental entity such as a court, legislature, executive agency, president, or governor.� �Library of Congress Law Library

8. What are Secondary Sources? �Secondary sources offer an analysis, commentary or a restatement of primary law. �Secondary sources are used to help locate and explain primary sources of law.� These sources may influence a legal decision but they do not have the controlling or binding authority like the primary sources of law.� �Library of Congress Law Library.

9. Find Legal Information Online Commonwealth of Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries www.lawlib.state.ma.us Massachusetts QuickFind! www.mln.lib.ma.us/quickfind/index.htm Newton Free Library www.newtonfreelibrary.net City of Newton www.ci.newton.ma.us

10. http://www.newtonfreelibrary.netFirst click on �Reference�

11. Massachusetts QuickFind! Find Internet Searching in left column. Click below on Massachusetts QuickFind! Scroll topics for Law

12. Law under Massachusetts QuickFind! Consumer Affairs Courts Forms General Laws Bill Tracking Regulations Public Law Libraries Legal Services

13. Legal Links in Newton Reference Topics Hover over Reference Click on Databases & Websites Scroll through topics, examples: Consumer Government Law Primary Sources

15. Newton Free LibraryCONSUMER Topic Massachusetts Attorney General: Consumer Protection Consumer advisories, regulations, consumer tips & questions, how to file a consumer complaint, and other consumer information organized by topic. Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Regulation Over 20 consumer-related topics from autos to a 30-day demand letter; pamphlets, resources by the Office of Consumer Affairs, federal resources, and other pertinent information.

16. Newton Free LibraryGOVERNMENT Topic Mass.gov The official web site of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Here you will find links to all state agencies, local government links for cities and towns, online services, news & updates, and a wide variety of Massachusetts information on everything from tourism to current Mass. lottery numbers. Free website. Massachusetts Attorney General Home Page Topics covered include children, civil rights, consumer, elder, employee, health care, insurance and victims rights. Many publications are also available in foreign language translations.

17. Newton Free Library LAW Topic Databases LexisNexis Congressional* Loislaw (in the library only) Key Website Access Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries Newton City Ordinances and Charter *Home access available to Newton residents only with a Minuteman library card number beginning 21323

18. Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries www.library.state.ma.us

19. Massachusetts Trial Court Law LibrariesInformation Section Find information links by headings: Laws by Subject Laws by Source Databases Library Locations & Services Library Catalog Mass. Law Blog

20. Laws by Subject: Searching Choices Law About Laws by Popular Name Forms for a Legal Topic

21. Massachusetts Law About

22. Laws by Popular Name: Homestead Law Homestead Laws � See Law about Homesteads Homesteads MGL c.188 s.1 Traditional homestead law s.1A Elderly and disabled s.2 Manufactured homes Homestead & Bankruptcy MGL c.235, s.34 (cl.14) Homestead Forms Selected Case Law Nolo.com online books (requires library card)

23. Laws by Popular NameLemon Laws General laws Regulations Cases

24. Laws by Source General Laws Search by Citation or Full Text Chapter 235, s.34 Homestead exempt from seizure

25. Federal Legislation Pending Billshttp://www.govtrack.us/congress/legislation.xpd Search Legislation Browse Legislation Bill number Resolution number Sponsor or Co-sponsor Status Public Law Number Subject Committee Blogs for Popular Bills

26. Federal Legislation Using The Library of Congress Thomas http://thomas.loc.gov/

27. Massachusetts Legislation Pending Billswww.mass.gov/legis/legis.htm The 186th General Court Search House Bill text for 2009-2010 Search Senate Bill text for 2009-2010 Scroll down for House & Senate dockets and all filed bills

28. Laws by Source :Jurisdiction and Origin of Law Massachusetts General laws, cases, regulations, court rules, executive orders, local ordinances, historical documents Federal Other States Foreign & International

29. You Can Also Get a Library Card Renew a Book Search: a statute, case, legal definition; a database Ask a Librarian Get a Document Find a Lawyer: by name, by specialty, or legal aid

30. Search the Search Gateway A book or other material to borrow� A Massachusetts case A Massachusetts statute A lawyer A legal definition Or search the site

31. Search a Database from Your Home or Office Click on Databases Enter library card number HeinOnline: Articles from 1200 journals; US Statutes at Large 1789-date; US Supreme Court Opinions, 1754-date Nolo Law Books: Self-help topics RetrieveLaw: Massachusetts and Federal primary law

32. Find a Legal Definition Black�s Dictionary of Law, purchase 8th edition App Store iTunes for iPhone (New in Print 9th edition, 2009) Law.com Dictionary Nolo.com Glossary

33. Help with Legal Research Nolo.com�s Glossary and other topical books Legal Research: How to Find and Understand the Law. 14th edition. Ask A Librarian Regional Reference Document Delivery

34. Legal Podcasts andPodcasting Legal Guide Nolocast.com Podcasts on topics in plain English. Justia.com Oyez.org US Supreme Court oral arguments.

35. How to Read a Massachusetts Legal Citation Click on Library Locations & Services Scroll down and click on Reference. Click on �How to Read a Massachusetts Legal Citation�

36. Examples of Legal Citations

38. Find a Lawyer Trial Court site left frame: Find a Lawyer How to choose a lawyer Find a lawyer by name or city in Massachusetts Find free or low-cost legal assistance Find a lawyer by specialty Find a lawyer outside of Massachusetts

39. Check for Disciplinary Actionin Massachusetts

40. Online Legal Portals More sites: www.findlaw.com www.firstgov.gov www.ilrg.com www.justia.com www.law.com www.lexisone.com www.law.cornell.edu www.mass.gov www.plol.org Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries www/lawlib.state.ma.us Tip: When clicking on a legal topic under Law About at related web links for more information are part of the coverage.

41. Finding Forms Click on Laws by Subject, then find subheading: Forms Massachusetts and Federal Legal Forms will list forms under your topic. Law About topics also offer related forms. License forms may be found under regulatory Boards and local government. Complaint forms could be state, federal, local or organization.

42. Forms from Trial Court Site

43. City of Newton Forms

44. Consumer Complaint Attorney General Massachusetts

45. Consumer Complaint with Better Business Bureau

46. Complaint against a Physician

47. Complaint against a Lawyer

48. Trial Court site: Click on Laws by Source United States Constitution Click on Federal Primary Law, then follow link to U.S. Constitution. Commonwealth of Massachusetts Constitution Click on Massachusetts Primary Law, then follow link to State Constitution. City of Newton Charter Click on Massachusetts City and Town Bylaws. From Newton Free Library Reference go to Law topic, scroll down to Newton City Ordinances and Charter. From City of Newton site go to Resources link or Aldermen tab to Ordinances.

49. Laws by Source

50. Massachusetts Constitution

51. United States Constitution

52. City and Town Ordinances and Bylaws From the Trial Court site: Click on Massachusetts City and Town Bylaws Select your city or town. From the Newton Free Library site: Click on Reference, then link to the City of Newton site, then click on Resources; for hearings, dockets, reports and actions: link to Aldermen, then click on Board Meetings by year.

53. City of Newton Charter

54. Trial Court site: Laws by Source Statutes or Session Laws Acts and Resolves: new chapter numbers each year, as passed, sequentially Code: General laws are codified into subject areas. 288 chapters, updated by amendments Sources are primary (authoritative) or secondary Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L.); authoritative edition from the state Legal publishers� annotated editions: West & Lexis

55. Types of Print Updating Services Annual Pocket Parts Semi-annual Cumulative Interim Updates, supplementing pocket parts Periodic Legislative Service pamphlets Bi-monthly Massachusetts Register Daily Slip opinions Periodic Loose-leaf services

56. Acts & Resolves passed by the General Court, 1809- (some volumes missing) West�s Massachusetts General Laws Annotated (MGLA)

57. Law by Source

58. Law by Subject

59. Sample Citesfor Carbon Monoxide Detectors Law Popular Name: Nicole�s Law Statutes or Sessions Laws St.2005, c.123 Massachusetts General Laws Codified MGL c.148, s. 26F 1/2 Massachusetts Regulations 527 CMR 31

60. Searching Statutes, Session Laws and Massachusetts General Laws

61. Tracking a Bill Trial Court site: Click on Law by Subject Click on General Legal Click on Massachusetts Legislative Tracking System

62. Finding Laws Track a bill Find a new law in the Acts and Resolves Find a law by Citation Find a law by Popular Name Search the full text of the General Laws Trace the legislative history of a law

63. Regulations, RulingsThe Executive Branch Trial Court site: Laws by Source Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) CMR Index 900 titles Massachusetts Register updates the CMR Massachusetts Executive Orders (Governor�s) Attorney-General Opinions New and emergency regulations Agencies, Boards, Commissions Ex., Medicine, Board of Registration in 243 CMR Agency and Commission Rulings & Decisions

64. Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) Laws by Source CMR Index CMR by Citation FAQs

65. Finding a CMR CiteUse the Index or Browse Numbers

66. Court case law originates from The Judicial Branch Trial Court site: Laws by Source Massachusetts Law Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) Massachusetts Appeals Superior Court Land Court

67. Finding Massachusetts Cases Supreme Judicial Court and Court of Appeals Cases 2001-to date with slip opinions Cases 1915-to date Cases 1804-1921: Early Massachusetts Reports

68. Massachusetts Reports Massachusetts Appeals West�s Massachusetts Decisions West�s Massachusetts Digest West�s Massachusetts Law Finder

69. Secondary SourcesTreatises & Loose-leaf Services West�s Massachusetts Practice Series. Complete series. (pocket parts) Legal topics and forms. Labor and Employment in Massachusetts: A Guide to Employment Laws, Regulations and Practices / Jeffrey L. Hirsch. (loose-leaf) Legal Planning for the Elderly in Massachusetts / William J. Brisk. (loose-leaf)

70. Massachusetts Court System Go to: www.mass.gov/courts For county, district or probate courts, click on: List of All Divisions and Departments For Supreme Judicial Court or Appeals, click on links provided.

72. Find a Case Cases about a topic: Law About Massachusetts Primary Law � Cases Cases by date Cases from Supreme Judicial Court Cases from Massachusetts Court of Appeals Board, Agency or Commission decisions Superior Court Land Court

73. Find Your District Court inThe Massachusetts Court System Courts: List of all individual Court Divisions Click on Judge�s Lobby to find the name of your court�s judge. Click on General Information for forms specific to your court. Example Newton District Court Location: 1309 Washington Street, West Newton, MA Map Judge: Hon. Dyanne J. Klein No specific forms for this court

74. Find Your District Court

75. Massachusetts Court System Newton Free Library site � Law topic: Scroll down to Massachusetts Court System Court forms Juror information Self-help center Representing yourself in court Probate and Family Court self-help District court locations and information

76. Judicial Branch Dockets, Cases, Opinions Commonwealth of Massachusetts West�s Massachusetts Decisions West�s Massachusetts Digest Court system of the Commonwealth

77. Find Massachusetts Case Law Trial Court site: Go to Laws, Regulations and Cases box Click on Cases Scroll down to find searching choices: Supreme Judicial Court homepage for opinions from both SJC and Appeals Court. Search Massachusetts cases by citation Superior Court: click on current year, selected cases Land Court: Mass. Land Court Reporter, current year

78. Massachusetts Legal Print Resourcesat The Newton Free Library Manual for the Use of the General Court Massachusetts Lawyers Diary & Manual The Legal Pages (Massachusetts Edition) Massachusetts Lawyers� Weekly Acts & Resolves passed by the General Court, 1809- (some volumes missing) Massachusetts Legislative Service: updating Acts & Resolves through 2008 Massachusetts General Laws Annotated (MGLA) (West) Massachusetts Law Finder (West) Code of Massachusetts Regulations (CMR) Massachusetts Register: CMR bi-weekly updates Massachusetts Digest: pocket part updates through 2008 Massachusetts Reports, 1858- Massachusetts Appeals Court Reports, 1972-1997 & 2001-2002 Massachusetts Decisions, v. 1 (1936) - v.891 (2008) (some volumes missing) Massachusetts Practice Series: complete set

79. News & Periodicals FindLaw.com Legal News Massachusetts Lawyer�s Weekly Daily State House News Service InfoTrac Internet Legal Resource Guide: Law Journals HeinOnline with a Trial Court Law Library library card

80. Self-Help Books & Study Series Individual popular legal topics New editions as laws change State contact information referenced Publishers & Series Nolo and Nolo Online Sphinx West�s �In a Nutshell� Series Oceana�s �Law for the Layperson� Series

81. Newton Database Subscriptions LexisNexis Congressional* LexisNexis Primary Sources in US History* Loislaw ** * Home Access for Newton residents with Newton-coded Minuteman Library Network card ** Use in Newton Free Library building only

82. Sample: Homestead Act M.G.L.A.: chapter 188 � 1 From Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries �Law About� �Laws by Popular Name� Homestead link General Court link Enter 188 under chapter For 2004 update enter �188 amended�

83. Find: Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP) and Surcharge Appeal Trial site: Click on �Law by Subject� Automobile Insurance 211 CMR 134.01 � 134.20 SDIP 211 CMR 88 SDIP Surcharge Appeal Click on �Law by Popular Name� Under �S� : �Safe Driver Insurance Plan� Has link back to Surcharge Appeal under Automobile Insurance.

85. City of NewtonLegislative Branch Board of Aldermen City of Newton Ordinances www.ci.newton.ma.us 30 chapters ; updated by amendments Code comparative table Check Orders/Actions online

86. City of Newton Legal Materials Books Charter & Revised Ordinances Official Source: City Clerk�s Office Annotated by hand by the City Clerk Alternate Source: City of Newton web site Ordinances Board Meetings: click on year for dockets, hearings, actions, audio of meetings Courtesy Source: Newton Free Library

87. Cases � Neighbors and Trees Trial Court site: Law about Neighbors Cases Articles from Nolo.com Nolo�s Neighbor Law: Fences, Trees, Boundaries, & Noise electronic book available with your Massachusetts Trial Court Law Library card. Apply in person at any of the 17 libraries.

88. Finding Newton�s Ordinances

89. Online copy: Search bar Tree Ordinance Print copy: Code Index Trees and Shrubs Permits required for removal 20-32�20-34 Pruning 20-34 Removal of trees, penalties 20-38 Tree Preservation 20-31

90. Swimming PoolsFences and Lighting Search the print Code Index for Fences - Regulation Chapter 20 section 40 Find different styles of fences and requirements Find out about perimeter fences Find out about fences and swimming pools.

91. Board of Aldermen Meetings

92. Now You Can Begin: Find a legal definition; read a legal citation Find a lawyer and a lawyer�s rating Find a court, a justice, an opinion Find a legal form, file a complaint Find a Massachusetts law, order, & case Know which print or online sources to use Find a Newton ordinance & form Find a law library for more resources