Legal Research

Questions People Ask Public Law Librarians: Round Four

These are some of the questions we are asked by our library patrons, via email, telephone, and in-person. We show people how to research their questions and refer them to print and online resources and in virtually all situations encourage non-attorneys to speak to an attorney or other specialist (e.g. caseworkers, elected officials, government offices, non-profit service providers, etc.).

The previous Sample Reference Questions were posted here on 5/8/08. As I said then (and will keep saying): Read these questions and ask yourself:

What would people do if they didn't have a public law library where they get expert help researching the law or finding referrals to legal services?

(Our Disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.)

Q: I need early 20th century Indiana and Kentucky cases ? do you have them?

Q: Where do I find the Washington state laws about municipal corporations?

Q: I need to prepare to qualify to be a private investigator and need to know the laws.

Q: Is there a checklist of steps to take to create a condominium?

Q: How do I prepare for a debt collection arbitration?

Q: I need a motion to dismiss a debt collection action and information on the Fair Debt Collection Act.

Q: Who do I call to find out about tax assessments?

Q: Can a private party petition the Attorney General for an opinion?

Q: Do you have anything on Section 1983 actions?

Q: Is there a book on Oregon landlord-tenant law, from the perspective of the landlord?

Q: he Federal Privacy Act of 1974 says, "The following section originally was part of the Privacy Act but was not codified; it may be found at 552a (note)". Can you help me find note in this reference?

Q: How can I (a landlord) prepare for a case in Small Claims Court?

Q: What are the landlord-tenant laws for floating homes?

Q: I need to research the mandatory arbitration process.

Q: What are the laws, and my rights, about repossession?

Q: Is there a form to sign a child over to the other parent?

Q: Where do I find case files from trial court?

Q: I need to research school law (child in grade school)?

Q: I need information about non-profits and tax laws.

Q: I need California statutes from the 1980?s.

Q: I need legal help for problems with family members taking care of my elderly mother.

Q: Who can answer my questions about probating my mother?s estate?

Q: Do you have the Supreme Court Reporter?

Q: I need help finding laws about things going on at work.

Q: What is the half-life of marijuana?

Q: How do I complain about a towing company?

Q: I need the legislative history of a 1971 law.

Q: How do I find the disciplinary record of an attorney?

Q: Where do I find appellate court briefs?

Q: How do I use Westlaw?

Q: How do I cite to ALR?

Q: How does one serve process in Mexico?

Q: Where do I find the first edition of Am Jur?

Q: I need a correct cite to a recent Oregon Supreme Court case.

Q: Is there a ?probate checklist? of things I need to do?

Q: How do I find a lawyer in another state?

Q: What happened to an OAR section that was there last year and is now gone?

Q: How do I remove a lien and stop garnishment?

Q: What is the range of sentence for this crime?

Q: How do I lift a non contact order on a closed domestic violence case?

Q: How do I write a letter to a judge?

Q: Where do I find oaths of office for public officials?

Q: What are the laws about custody?

Q: Where can I find the1991 ORCP?

Q: How does one negotiate a Westlaw contract?

Q: Can a wife avoid responding to a subpoena?

Q: What kind of notice should one get in a mortgage foreclosure?

Q: How do I update an old OAR?

Q: Where do I find a 1969 legislative calendar?

Q: How can I search OJIN?

Q: I need a trust deed form.

Q: Where can I find military records from the 40?s

Q: Is there a subpoena duces tecum form for a Spanish speaker?

Q: Where do I find info on wrongful termination and other employment law?

Q: I need a 1977 ORS.

Q: I need to research bankruptcy law.

Q: Do you have anything on construction law?

Q: How do I get an IRS stimulus check? Is there a form?

Q: How do I report on a sex crime that occurred in a school?

Q: How do I cite to this Oregon statute?

Q: Where do I find court rules?

Q: How do I register to vote?

Q: Where is Legal Aid?

Q: Are mental illness issues considered when trying to get parole?

Q: How do I calculate spousal support.

Q: How can I adopt a stepchild?

Q: How did this 2007 affect the earlier law?

Q: How do I verify a copyright expiration date?

Q: How do I file a response to a subpoena?

Q: Where can I publish a legal notice?

Q: How do I find out if I was fired illegally?

Q: What can I do about my neighbor?s tree that?s hanging over my property?

Q: How do I research probate law?

Q: What are the rules about accounting for probate personal representatives?

Q: Where do I find Court of Claims cases?

Q: Do you have USCA?

Q: Are there instructions and examples showing how to write an appellate court brief?

Q: I have mortgage foreclosure problems.

Q: How do I assign a judgment? Is there a form?

Q: How much do I need to pay a witness to travel to my small claims case?

Q: Is there a manual for investigators?

Q: How do I ask for enhanced prevailing party fees?

Q: Are there laws about defrauded creditors?

Q: How do I contact the county Justice Court?

Q: Where do I get a copy of Roe v. Wade?

Q: What is the definition of theft 1?

Q: I need case law on Oregon adverse possession.

Q: Are there tapes of transcripts of oral arguments in the Oregon Court of Appeals?

Q: Where do I find the Oregon rules of court?

Q: Can I search Lexis here?

Q: Do we have materials on HIPAA?

Q: What is contract reformation?

Q: I need the 1st edition of McCormick.

Q: How do I compile a legislative history?

Q: Is there a place to find a list of the cases against Countrywide mortgage company?

Q: I need information about military divorces.

Q: My mom punched me and kicked me out of the house. Where do I file a report?

Q: What is the phone number for the ACLU?

Q: I need the laws on unfair labor practices.

Q: Can a group home resident be evicted without notice?

Q: I need a business sale/lease form.

Q: I need a sample non-compete form.

Q: What is the phone number for code enforcement?

Disclaimer: It is against state law for library staff members to engage in any conduct that might constitute the unauthorized practice of law (ORS 9.160, 9.166 and 9.21). They may not interpret statutes, cases or regulations, recommend forms or assist in their preparation, or advise patrons regarding their legal rights. Law library staff members may, however, assist patrons in locating materials or links that would aid in individual research.

Full post as published by Oregon Legal Research on July 01, 2008 (boomark / email).