STATUTES

I. Standard Search Strategies

A. Lexis

• i - to determine what Source contains

• explore or search Source Directory - for availability and coverage

• segments/dates in enhanced search

unanno - unannotated text (without case citations) [e.g. unanno(independent counsel) ]
section - for section number and name of section [e.g. section(independent counsel)]
heading - for Title and Chapter [ e.g. heading( independent counsel )] - (can combine with section using OR connector)

B. Westlaw

• scope or i - to determine what Database contains

• View Database Directory or search IDEN - for availability and coverage

• fields

sd(substantial document) for text of section without annotations - [e.g. sd("independent counsel")] <
ca (caption) - for section number and name of section and ca,pr (caption and prelim) - for caption and Title/Chapter info [e.g. ca,pr("independent counsel")]

II. Search strategies for Statutes

A. Lexis

• to find a specific statute

a. with cite - Get a Document (lexstat)
-for state format scroll down and click on "here"
-to move to consecutive statute sections - Book Browse
b. with name - search Popular Names Table ( under USCS Materials)

• search for particular statute on subject - e.g. Independent Counsel

-segment searching particularly useful for searching statutes, [e.g. unanno(independent counsel); section(independent counsel) or heading( independent counsel )]

-HINT: when using segments, remember you are searching a smaller portion of text so you may want to use broader connectors

• Updating Statutes - look for CONSULT PUBLIC LAWS message

• Shepardizing statutes - Check a Citation - for federal statutes, e.g. 8 USCS 1182;

-for state statutes, go to Source Directory, Lexis-Nexis Information and Training, Product Guide-Shepards, View Statutory Citations Abbreviations, scroll down

- easiest to just shepardize while looking at statute (delete year and section symbol)

• Search Index, Table of Contents, Tables (under USCS Materials )