Legal Research App

Continuing with my explorations of HeinOnline, you can take advantage of the advantage of the One-Box Search feature and other HeinOnline resources on you iPhone or iPad using the relatively new (and free) app.

To access HeinOnline from your device you either must get the username and password from the Reference Desk librarian or you can access HeinOnline while on campus through a wireless connection. If you access via wireless on campus (authenticate) , you will be able to access HeinOnline on your device from anywhere for 30 days. After 30 days, you must return to campus authenticate your app again.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Mississippi Voters Reject “Personhood” Amendment

Mississippi voters recently rejected a ballot measure that would have amended the state constitution to define the word person or persons to include "every human being from the moment of fertilization, cloning, or the functional equivalent thereof." Read more here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

GPS Surveillance Case Argued Yesterday

One of the most closely watched cases of this Supreme Court term, for both its Constitutional and criminal law implications, was argued yesterday before the nine Justices. The case of United States v. Jones presents a simple but profoundly important question related to individual privacy, Fourth Amendment, and new technology: Does the installation of a tracking device on a vehicle by police, without either a warrant or the suspect's consent, violate a suspect's Constitutional rights? The attorneys sparred about the Orwellian implications (or not) of permitting this practice with the Justices. SCOTUSblog has a recap of the argument. The official transcript at the Supreme Court web site also makes for interesting reading.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Research Resources: Justis

Justis is a full text online legal library of UK, Irish and EU case law dating back to 1163 and legislation from 1235.

Justis offers access to a wide variety of authoritative legal sources. The Justis legal library provides up-to-date case law, legislation, and EU information. Case law is available as a printable PDF, replicating the pagination of the hard copies exactly.

To access Justis:

Go to the Library's home page, click "Online Resources"
Then, click on the "International Organizations" link
Scroll down, click the "Justis" link


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

New HeinOnline One-Box Search Feature

HeinOnline has recently introduced a new enhancement called the One-Box Search option. It appears on the HeinOnline welcome page and was created to begin research when users are not sure which collection would be the correct option to start researching in. The One-Box search allows users to search across all of the subscribed libraries at the same time and also acts as an advanced search box. Click here to access the advanced search guidelines brochure and click here to begin using this feature.
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat