PLSC 3020/CRIM 302: The U.S. Criminal Justice System
Why Use Reference Materials?
Reference Sources:
- Provide background info/brief overviews on a subject
- Provide key terms, persons, etc. to add to database searches
- Lead to more useful sources
- Help you narrow down your topic
Legal Research Guides
- Thurgood Marshall Law Library Guide to Legal ResearchAn extensive guide to legal research that includes an introduction to legal authorities and sections on electronic research techniques, background research, statutory law research, and case law research.
Law Dictionaries
- Black's Law Dictionary, 10th edition. 2014.Main Level, Reference: R 340.03 B567B
- A Dictionary of Law, 9th edition. 2018.An authoritative and comprehensive source of jargon-free legal information. Its entries clearly define the major terms, concepts, processes, and organization of the English legal system.
- Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, 2nd edition. 2011.10,000 entries cover vocabulary, etymologies, definitions, concepts, the judicial system, landmark cases, and government agencies
Background Information
- Encyclopedia of American Law & Criminal JusticeMain Level, Reference: R 349.7303 En19E [2 volume set]
- Legal Research: How to Find and Understand the Law [2018]*Available upon request from PASCAL
This book provides an overview of legal research and includes chapters on Constitutions, statutes, regulations and ordinances, understanding case law, and finding cases.
*Older editions also available - The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States [2005]*1992 edition available in print
Main Level, Reference: R 347.732603 Ox2O - The Rules, Practice, and Jurisprudence of International Courts and TribunalsThis book examines existing international disputes resolution institutions of both general and specific subject-matter jurisdiction. Uniquely, it assesses both procedural rules and essential case-law, making it relevant for both academics and practitioners in international law.
- The Supreme Court of the United States: A Student CompanionAn alphabetically arranged, illustrated guide to the Supreme Court, including biographical articles on all the justices, summaries and analysis of key decisions and major cases, and definitions of legal terms.
- The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Political & Legal HistoryMain Level, Reference: R 320.973 Ox25O
