Keeping current in any legal research endeavor is a seemingly endless task which can exhaust even the most thorough legal professional. Decisions issued today may have an impact on the brief filed tomorrow. Various legal databases such as LexisNexis and Westlaw offer daily, if not up-to-the-minute, updates on case law and statutes.
However, cases and statutes are not the only items that are amended to bring current information to bear on present laws. Many loose-leaf and hardbound topical treatises, which are updated weekly, monthly, semi-annually or annually, can provide in-depth treatment of any issue.
These amendments to publications also can be of an historical nature. Knowing what the law was in 1963 for a particular statute requires examining those old volumes. Successfully researching Washington Supreme Court briefs can strengthen a current brief and yield valuable information. Until recently, you would have had to copy these briefs or old statutes in the library to take advantage of the materials. Now you can check them out for a 24-hour period.
The same is true for the following publications: Washington Attorney General Opinions and Annual Reports; archival copies of Washington Practice; Federal Sentencing Guideline manuals; archived editions of Washington State Sentencing Guideline manuals; and state and federal court rules. This new check-out status will make these materials easier for you to use and help us meet demand for them.
To find out the other ways to update your research, pick up a copy of our brochure on "Services for the Bar," schedule an orientation session or become a Subscriber to the Library at only $55. To check out the historical materials, contact the reference staff at 206-296-0940.
Internet class topic: The Seattle Law Library Internet lunch-break class for Web users will be held in June and will cover "Local, State and Federal Legal Research Basics." Check our Web site at www.kcll.org for training times.
Marcus Hochstetler is the King County Law Librarian. Please direct comments or questions to him at 206-296-0940 or marcus.hochstetler@metrokc.gov.
