Surveying 312 - Legal Resources  

FYI

LexisNexis is one of the databases you can access through the library’s homepage.

From here: http://lib.nmsu.edu/index.shtml, select “Articles, Books, Journals etc” under “Find Information” on the left side of the page. On the page you’re taken to, LexisNexis is the sixth database listed in the “Articles Index” box. Highlight it and hit the Go There button beneath.

Westlaw is only available in Zuhl Library, on one dedicated computer during library hours. If you need assistance, come when the Information Desk is staffed. The password is: black. You’re asked to verify you are affiliated with NMSU before you may access it and then agree to Westlaw’s terms of use. It is sometimes slow, so keep patience.

Library Hours are here.  To see when the Information Desk in Zuhl is staffed click here.  For Branson, Government Docs, click here.

Within both the LexisNexis and Westlaw databases, there is a great deal of help available.  Within any category of searching in LexisNexis, click Help in the upper right corner and you will receive guidance for that specific area, an example being:

LexisNexis Federal & State Codes Help

Westlaw has some easy to understand User Guides covering its various search capabilities:

Westlaw User Guides

Scroll down on this page to various practice areas.  Real Property is one that will cover many of the legal issues faced by surveyors.

If call number is preceded by ‘Ref’ the item will be located in the Reference Section of the Library, 1st floor of Zuhl. If preceded by ‘Doc’ the item is in Government Documents, 2nd floor of Branson.

Basic Tools

•  American Law Reports Ref KF105.A56

ALR reviews legal topics in depth – particularly those unsettled between state and federal law.

It analyzes court cases from all jurisdictions so it can be be used as a finding aid for locating cases on a particular topic in any jurisdiction.

NMSU has from the ALR 2nd through the present and also ALR Federal, 2nd [ KF105 .A543].

•  American Jurisprudence  Ref KF154.A42

Sometimes referred to as AmJur 2nd. Heavily annotated, thorough examination of the law, with many references to case law. *Tip – Use the subject index.  Also available via LexisNexis.

• Black’s Law Dictionary  Ref KF156.B53 2009

Defines terms, Latin phrases, acronyms.

• Words and Phrases Ref KF156.W6712

Judicial interpretation of words and phrases. Main volume contains language that may be very old. *Tip – Always consult the pocket parts for the most timely information.

Case Law

• New Mexico Reports Ref J87.N6B101.81 C33

Cases determined by NM Supreme Court or NM Court of Appeals. Cases listed in order of decision date. Also available via Westlaw or LexisNexis. *Tip – Use the book below as the Subject Index.

• New Mexico Digest Ref KFN3657.N48

Subject index to all cases reported in NM Reports.

• Pacific Reporter Ref KF135.P33

Cases argued and determined in the Supreme Courts of New Mexico, California, Kansas, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, Arizona, Nevada, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah and Oklahoma. Also available via Westlaw or LexisNexis. *Tip – Use the book below as the Subject Index.

• Pacific Digest Ref KF135.P21 W43

Subject index to all cases reported in Pacific Reporter.

To access the following, use Westlaw or LexisNexis:

Federal Reporter (Court of Appeals)

Federal Supplement (decisions in the US District Courts)

U.S. Reports (U.S. Supreme Court)

* U.S. Reports also available via Cornell Univ. Legal Information Institute: http:// www.law.cornell.edu

Statutory Law

• New Mexico Statutes Annotated

Available through LexisNexis.

• United States Statutes at Large Doc Ref KF50 U5

Also accessible via the web: http://purl.access.gpo.gov/GPO/LPS30184

Chronological listing of U.S. laws passed by Congress.

• United States Code Doc Ref KF62 2006 .A2 2008

U.S. Code also available via Cornell Univ. Legal Information Institute: www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/

•  Public Laws & Legislation

Available via Thomas: http://thomas.loc.gov

Other Sources

•  Shepard’s New Mexico Citations J87.N6 F131.93

Available through LexisNexis.

• New Mexico Law Review

A publication of University of New Mexico Law School.  Most recent editions in Current Periodicals room, 1st floor Branson. Older copies in bound volumes, 2nd floor Zuhl.  Also available through LexisNexis.

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