Chapter 4—Constitutions, Statutes, Administrative Law, and Court Rules—Research and Analysis

Research Steps

Research Steps• Step 1: Locate the statute.

– General index– Table of contents– Popular name– Computer research (see Chs. 9

and 10)

Research Steps

• Step 2: Update research.

– Pocket parts and supplements

– Shepard’s, Ch. 7

– Computer updating, Ch.10

The Process of Analysis

Chapter 4—Constitutions, Statutes, Administrative Law, and Court Rules—Research and Analysis

Analysis Steps

• Step 1: Determine whether the statute applies. Part 1—Locate all statutes

Part 2—Determine which statutes apply

Analysis Steps

• Step 2: Analyze the statute.

Part 1—General concerns

Part 2—Statutory elements

Statutory Analysis• Step 3: Apply the statute.

Part 1—Chart format

Part 2—Narrative summary

Anatomy of a Statute

Chapter 4—Constitutions, Statutes, Administrative Law, and Court Rules—Research and Analysis

Statutory Components

• Number

• Short title

• Purpose

• Scope

Components (cont.)

• Definitions

• Substantive provisions

• Other provisions

• Reference information