Statutory law and Case law: Unity of research

Dana NeacsuPRATT – Fall 2011

Statutes & Cases

• Where you find them• How you use them

Mr. B the Border Watcher: Has Mr. B. Violated Any

Laws?You heard that Mr. B. owns a ranch somewhere in Texas, that he dresses in military garb and caps with insignia resembling the a Border Patrol and that he intercepts what he perceives to be illegal immigrants. You also heard that he imprisons them at gun point.

The partner assigning you the research task wants to know whether Mr. B’s behavior is legal.

Researching Statutes• Primary Authority:1. Statutory Law Codification (USCS:

impersonation; USCA impersonation, kidnapping, abduction; illegal possession of firearms; possession of unregistered weapon):

• http://thomas.loc.gov/• http://www.gpoaccess.gov/uscode/index.html• http://www.findlaw.com/casecode/index.html• Lexis• Westlaw• Bloomberg

Researching Cases

2. Case Law Repositories • Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg.

Google Scholar, LexisOne, Findlaw

(Allfeds: "BORDER PATROL" & ARREST & IMMIGRANT & "CITIZEN! ARREST“):

Final Step

Update• Shepards• KeyCite• Bcite (limits)

Adoption HypoArmand Coleman, who owns a popular

drag nightclub, The Bird Cage, in New Haven, Connecticut, and Albert Tsarina, his famous partner, who’s primary residence is in New York are the foster parents of little Val, four years old. They would like to adopt him but they do not know whether Connecticut or New York is the best place where they should do it or perhaps they would need to relocate to another state more sympathetic to their lifestyle.

Research Approach

1. Westlaw: Connecticut Cases (CT-CS) 

2. Type – (homosexual “sexual

orientation” lesbian) /125 (adoption adoptive)

– In re Adoption of Baby Z., 247 Conn. 474, 724 A.2d 1035 (1999)

– Kerrigan v. State, 2006 WL 2089468 (Conn.Super., Jul 12, 2006 2006)• Try “(homosexual “sexual

orientation” lesbian) /125 adopt!” and see results!

Research Approach (II)

1. LEXIS: Legal > States Legal - U.S. > Connecticut > Cases > CT State Cases, Combined

2. Type (homosexual or “sexual orientation” or lesbian) /125 (adoption or adoptive)  

• In re Adoption of Baby Z., 247 Conn. 474, 724 A.2d 1035 (1999)

• Kerrigan v. State, 2006 WL 2089468 (Conn.Super., Jul 12, 2006 2006)

UPDATE YOUR RESULTS

• Next week• Homework Assignment

#3 due• Homework Assignment

#4 handed out