Friday, January 9, 2009

07. FIND UNKNOWN OPINIONS

Every search is driven by one of two items of information. The item of information driving your search is either codified or non-codified. Codified items of information include statutes, rules, regulations and case citations. See, A Murder In North Dakota: A Tutorial.

Non-codified items of information include law and fact related concepts. Best practices dictates that whenever possible your search query should include the number(s) assigned to codified item(s) of information that is driving your search. 404(b), for example, is a superior search term to prejudicial.

If on the first pass you find too many opinions, winnow your results by adding a term from the statute, rule or regulation itself or a term related to the facts surrounding the matter at hand.

The best part about TheLaw.net Equalizer 7.0, is that when you are dealing with an odd set of facts, in one mouseclick you can Go National to find opinions that will aid your thinking and writing, even if you don't cite them.

Click here for more information on finding unknown opinions.