DOJ Legislative Histories

A collection of federal legislative histories created by U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) library staff over the years, and previously available only to DOJ staff members, is now digitized and available to everyone here on the DOJ web site. Included are some well-known laws, such as the Captive Wildlife Safety Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, as well as some major criminal statutes. These legislative histories are easy to use and provide links to full-text PDF documents such as related bills, Congressional hearings and reports, debates, Presidential signing statements, and additional materials.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

They're Baaack. . . ?: PACER Update

A recent WSJ post reported that the federal judiciary plans to restore online access to archives of federal case filings that had been removed from PACER.

“We regret the disruption in electronic access to this information, but I am happy to inform you that we have developed a solution that will restore full electronic access to all the courts of appeals material by the end of October 2014,” wrote Judge John D. Bates, director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, in a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy on Friday.

The AALL Government Relations Committee will be following up with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to clarify the WSJ report, including whether or not just the docket sheets, or the entire case files, will be made available.  Stay tuned for more developments.

 

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Ireland to Repeal Antiquated Laws

Laws can hang around well after they make sense to the citizens in every country.  Ireland is now trying to remedy this by repealing some of their antiquated laws.  "Very soon, Ireland's upper class will be able to eat oatmeal and potatoes again, the country will no longer be at war with Denmark, and the first Wednesday of every month won't be devoted to fasting for relief of those afflicted with the bubonic plague. ... In what will be the "largest repealing measure" in the history of the Irish state, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is seeking to officially overturn some 4,500 laws signed into effect between 1660 and 1820." cite

Read more about the initiative to update Ireland's laws and streamline their statutes here.

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Paper Writing Resources

Are you taking a seminar that requires writing a paper?  Or, on a journal and starting work on your note?  Are you aware of resources beyond Westlaw Next and Google?

For help with getting started with your paper and resources available to you at Hofstra Law, check out the Paper Writing Resources research guide.  Tips for:

1.  Resources to help you find and narrow your topic;

2.  Find topic specific research guides;

3.  Resources for identifying legal and non-legal articles on your topic;

4.  How to obtain the articles you find;

5.  Find books on your topic;

6.  Current awareness resources.

 For the best paper you want to be thorough in your research.  Paper Writing Resources helps you move beyond your regular research strategy.



Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Writing Checklist App

Writing professor Kathy Vinson at Suffolk has developed a writing checklist app called iWrite Legal.  This app includes writing tips, tips for clear communication, writing checklists, as well as other resources to revise, edit, and proofread legal documents.  To learn more or to download the app, click here.

Hat tip to Legal Writing Prof Blog
Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat