These guides cover common California-specific legal topics. They include a brief description of the legal topic, links to online resources, titles and call numbers of print resources that can be found at our different library locations, and pertinent code sections.
Please Note: The information presented in these how to guides is intended to provide a foundation for legal research. For information pertaining to your case please consult with an attorney, court facilitator or specialist. For information on legal aid in Riverside County, see this page.
See additional subject guides available from the California State Library and LA Law Library's Legal Research Classes
- California Case Citations
- Civil Appeals
- Conservatorship
- Criminal Expungement
- Divorce/Legal Separation
- Domestic Partnership
- Domestic Violence
- General Legal and Self-Help Titles for the Public (External Site)
- Guardianship
- Homestead Declarations
- Jurisdiction
- Locating the Law: A Handbook for Non-Law Librarians (External Site)
- Paralegal Basics
- Pleading Paper
- Recursos en Español
- Unlawful Detainers
- Voting Resources
- Workers' Compensation
"Legal Research for Everyone" Video Series
Did you go to the law library planning to research your legal problem, only to discover that conducting legal research was not what you expected? The books are unfamiliar. The concepts are confusing. And what on earth did the library assistant mean by updating and "Shepardizing"?! If that was your experience, this course is for you.
The following videos are being prepared by a retired academic law librarian/college professor to introduce you to the legal resources available to you at the Riverside County Law Library, and, most importantly, how to use them successfully.
The following videos are hosted on the Library's YouTube channel. As each video is published, they will be listed and linked here. As always, be sure to ask a law librarian if you need help.
Module 1: Preliminary Matters (things you need to know before you start)
Image
Module 2: Print Legal Research
Researching Statutes in print
- M0201: How Print Statutes are Published
- M0202: Internal Organization of Statutes
- M0203: Using the Annotations to Statutes
- M0204: Updating Annotated Codes
- M0205: Using an Index to Find Statutes
- M0206: Using Citations to Find Statutes
Researching Caselaw in Print
- M0207: What is a "Case"?
- M0208: Case Reporters
- M0209: Opinions Published in a West Reporter
- M0210: Opinions Published in Official Reporters
- M0211: Introduction to the West Key Number System
- M0211 PDF handouts: West Digest Topics and Sample West Topic
- M0212: Introduction to Wests Digests
- M0213: Steps to Using a West Digest
- M0214: Demo of a West Digest Search
- M0215: Finding a Key Number
- M0216: Validating Cases
Researching Regulations in Print
- M0217: What is a Regulation?
- M0218: Federal Register
- M0219: The Code of Federal Regulations
- M0220: California Regulations
Researching Secondary Sources in Print
- M0221: Secondary Sources in Print
- M0222: Legal Encyclopedias
- M0223: American Law Reports
- M0224: Legal Treatises
- M0225: CEB Treatises
- M0226: Rutter Group Practice Guides
- M0227: Witkin Guides
- M0228: California Forms of Pleading and Practice
- M0229: California Points and Authorities
- M0230: Am. Jur. Proof of Facts
Image
Image
Module 3: Westlaw
- M0301: Introduction to Westlaw
Researching Statutes on Westlaw
- M0302: Reading a Statute Pt. 1
- M0303: Reading a Statute Pt. 2
- M0304: Retrieving a Statute using a Citation
- M0305: Retrieving a Statute using the Table of Contents
- M0306: Retrieving a Statute using the Index
- M0307: Retrieving Statutes by Word Search: Problems
- M0308: Retrieving Statutes by Word Search: Field Restrictors
- M0309: Using Westlaw to Find Statutes: Terms and Connectors
Researching Caselaw on Westlaw
- M0310: Four Approaches Refresher for Westlaw
- M0311: Reading Cases on Westlaw, Pt. 1
- M0312: Reading Cases on Westlaw, Pt. 2
- M0313: Reading Cases on Westlaw, Pt. 3
- M0314: Reading Cases on Westlaw, Pt. 4
- M0315: Reading Cases on Westlaw, Pt.5
- M0316: Validating Cases on Westlaw Using Keycite
- M0317: Finding Cases on WestLaw Pt. 1
- M0318: Finding Cases on WestLaw Pt. 2
- M0319: Word Searching Part 1: Natural Language & Terms and Connectors
- M0320: Word Searching Part 2: Finding Cases on Westlaw
Module 4: LexisNexis
M0401: coming soon!
Module 5: Other RCLL Databases
Legal Databases
Free Legal Websites
Additional videos that will cover free legal websites. Coming soon!
These legal research videos are not substitutes for legal advice, they are for educational purposes only. More videos will be added as they are produced. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and follow us on social media for notifications.
Free Legal Websites
