1

Research in the Green Books

Statutory Research in theLouisiana Statutes Annotated

Randall J. ThompsonJanuary 13, 2006

2

What is It?

Collection of the “…currently effective, permanent and general law of Louisiana”

Arranged topically Official Current edition is the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950

3

Component Parts?

Constitution Revised Statutes Civil Code Code of Civil Procedure Code of Criminal Procedure Code of Evidence Children’s Code Table Volumes

4

Why Print?

More efficient research Indexed Serendipity

Ready access Bosses know it

5

Online search?

6

Online search?

7

Print Index

Think of terms Think hierarchically

Think of synonyms

8

L.R.S. 23:921

9

History Info

Amendment dates & Acts

Historical Notes Sources Prior text

10

Research Aids

Cross References Law Reviews West References Notes of Decision Index

11

Notes of Decision

Arranged like Index

Note numbers don’t correspond to West Headnote system

12

Notes

Cases interpreting that statute

13

Updating

Use Pocket Parts Updates statute language & all additional info

Look up same statute

If not there, then no changes

14

Statute in Context

Look at statutes around the one using

Check Table of Contents for each Chapter

15

Updating PP

New laws generally effective Aug. 15 LA Const. Art. 3, § 19

Pocket parts released in Dec.

Need to know law between Aug. 15 & date of new pocket parts

16

Session Laws

Check Session Law pamphlets for any updates to statutes

17

Table 1

Table of Statutes Amended, Added or Repealed

Look up statute, will show any changes and which Act

18

Civil Code Compiled Edition

Vols. 16-17 of Civil Code

Based on text of CC as of 1972

Shows language of CC as it changed through years

Gives French where applicable

19

Form Volumes

Vols. 10-12 of Code of Civil Procedure

Forms for variety of pleadings, motions, etc.

May have to combine several forms to get complete doc

20

Tables Volumes

Tables volumes have variety of info Mortality Annuity Interest

Local & Special Acts Law, but not in the code

21

Rules

Court Rules in R.S. Vol. 8

Includes new Uniform District Court Rules in supplement

Rules of Professional Conduct in R.S Vol. 21A, 37:Art. 16

22

Efficient Statutory Research ChecklistLocate statute in print index

Read statute in main vol. & pocket part

Use print decision notes for caselaw cites

Use computer to update statute & caselaw after pocket part date

Use computer to Shepardize or KeyCite citations