The course research guide focuses on some specific resources in the University Library and on the World Wide Web useful for legal research. Should you have questions, stop by the Reference Desk on the first floor. You may also call the Reference Desk at (334) 229-4110 during the hours the Library is open.

Legal Research

Start with these sources to help you understand the various aspects of legal research.

• Legal Research and Writing
  Main Reference: KF 240 .S6 1996
• Legal Research: How to Find & Understand the Law (ASU)
• Introduction to Basic Legal Citation
• Index to Legal Citations and Abbreviations
  Main Reference Desk: KF 400 .R35 1993

Law Dictionaries & Encyclopedias

Check the dictionaries for definitions of legal terms.

The encyclopedias provide brief discussions of legal topics and cite relevant cases.

• Black's Law Dictionary
  Main Reference Desk: KF 156 .B53 1999
• Everybody's Legal Dictionary
• Legal Thesaurus
  Main Reference Desk: KF 156 .B856
• American Jurisprudence 2d (Am. Jur. 2d)
  WestLaw Campus (ASU)
• Corpus Juris Secundum (CJS)
  Main Reference: KF 382 .C65

Case Law

Before searching for United States cases, it's a good idea to understand the federal court system. These three Web sites provide information on the different federal courts.

• Understanding the Federal Courts
• Law Library of Congress: US Judiciary: The Federal Court System & Decisions
• The Federal Judiciary: US Courts

US Cases

• LexisNexis' Academic Universe: Legal Research: Federal Case Law (ASU)
• WestLaw Campus (ASU)
• FindLaw: Cases and Codes: Supreme Court Opinions, 1893 - present
• Supreme Court Opinions
  Supreme Court Slip Opinions 2000-Present
• Supreme Court Collections
  Supreme Court Decisions 1990-present
• Supreme Court Reporter
  Main Reference: KF 101 .S94
• United States Supreme Court Reports
  Main Reference: KF 127 .U5 2nd series
• Federal Reporter (Circuit Courts of Appeal)
  Main Reference: KF 127 .F48
  Main Reference: KF 127 .F48 2d Ser.
• Federal Supplement (District Courts)
  Main Reference: KF 105 .F45 2d Ser.
  Main Reference: KF 105 .F45 3d Ser.

State Cases

• LexisNexis' Academic Universe: Legal Research: State Case Law (ASU)
• WestLaw Campus (ASU)
• Alabama Judicial System Online
• Alabama Reports
  Main Reference: KFA 45 A19
• Alabama Reporter
  Main Reference: KFA 47 A32
• Alabama Appellate Court Reports
  Main Reference: KFA 48 .A24

Articles from Law Reviews

Much of the scholarly legal literature is published in law reviews (journals). Searching the Library's online databases is the most efficient way to find articles in these publications. Our databases are easily accessible off campus by clicking on the database name and typing in the information requested. If you need additional assistance with accessing the databases, contact Cedric Davis at (334) 229-6998.

• LexisNexis' Academic Universe: Legal Research (ASU)
• WestLaw Campus (ASU)

Your Comments

Please take a few minutes to let us know what you think about this guide. Has it helped with your research? Do you have any suggestions for improving the guide? You may e-mail Barbara Hightower at bhightower@alasu.edu or call (334) 229-6839 with your comments and suggestions.