Flint Public Library -- Legal Resources

GUIDE TO LEGAL RESOURCES AT THE FLINT PUBLIC LIBRARY

PRIMARY SOURCES / SECONDARY SOURCES / WEBSITES

PRIMARY SOURCES:
These sources mostly contain the actual text of laws and court decisions. Although there is some commentary and interpretation, there is no advice about applications or specific situations.

Here are several finding aids for primary sources at the Flint Public Library:
Federal Laws
Federal Regulations
Federal Court Cases
Michigan Laws
Michigan Regulations
Michigan Court Cases

The print sources in the above finding aids are in the Law Aisle of the Library’s Reference Department. Online sources are on the World Wide Web and can be reached from any computer with Internet access, including those available at the Library.

SECONDARY SOURCES:
These sources mostly contain summaries of laws as they affect ordinary people. There is some advice on how to use the law, file forms, or apply laws to specific situations. Books are shelved by topic, according to the call numbers listed below. For the most up-to-date information on these topics, look in the REFERENCE and MICHIGAN HISTORY departments. Older editions are in the non-fiction or Michigan history departments. Please ask a librarian for further information or for assistance in locating these resources.

CALL NUMBERS OF VARIOUS LEGAL TOPICS:
331 - Labor economics, labor law, employee rights, labor discrimination
332 - Finances, economics, economic law
332.8 – Bankruptcy, debts

333 - Land economics, real estate
333.33 – Real estate law
333.5 – Landlords, tenants, renting, leasing

339 - Macroeconomics, consumer law
339.42 – Consumer protection

340 - Law terms, how to do legal research, overviews of general laws
340.03 – Dictionaries and encyclopedias

345 - Criminal law, punishments and their history, criminal justice

346 - Private law, family law, children’s rights, child custody, marriage, divorce
346.016 – Divorce forms (behind the Reference desk)
346.05 – Making a will

347 - Civil court procedures, legal guides, lawyers, legal forms
347.055 – Michigan court forms (behind the Reference desk)
347.73 – How-to guides for going to court, legal forms
347.9 – Michigan rules of court (behind the Reference desk)

362 - Social problems and crimes
362.8 – Domestic violence

364 - Criminology, victims’ rights, sentencing guidelines

388 - Transportation, traffic law, automobile law
388.03 – Traffic tickets

WEBSITES:
These sites offer some texts of actual laws and some ideas or advice on applying those laws to various situations.

GENERAL:
Findlaw
http://www.findlaw.com
Offers legal resources for lawyers, students, businesses, and individuals on a wide range of topics. Resources include a lawyer database, a guide ot websites in various legal practice areas, various court opinions and federal and state codes, and access to thousands of court forms.

Internet Law Library
http://www.lawguru.com/ilawlib/index.html
Contains the United States Code in searchable and downloadable formats, as well as links to legal resources pertaining to federal, state, international, and foreign laws.

American Bar Association
http://www.abanet.org/
Resources for lawyers, students, and the public on dozens of legal topics. Information about finding and using a lawyer in any state.

Federal Forms Catalog for Citizens
http://www.forms.gov/bgfPortal/citizen.portal
Federal forms by name, number, agency, or topic.

MICHIGAN:
Consumer Protection Division – Complaint Directory
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Complaint_Directory_59572_7.pdf
Contains a directory of state agencies that deal with consumer complaints and consumer protection. Compiled by the office of the Michigan Attorney General, and ordered by type of complaint.

Michigan Department of Corrections
http://www.michigan.gov/corrections
Information about Michigan prisons, offenders, victims, probation, and parole. Searchable database (OTIS) of offenders, prisoners, parolees, and probationers.

Michigan State Court Administrative Office (SCAO)
http://courts.michigan.gov/scao/
Court rules, fines, fees, and costs, court forms, and explanations of court procedures, rights, and responsibilities.

LOCAL:
United States Bankruptcy Court – Eastern District of Michigan
http://www.mieb.uscourts.gov/
Download and file bankruptcy forms, as well as learn the basics of bankruptcy and the filing process.

Genesee County Sheriff
http://www.gfn.org/sheriff/
Information about the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department and law enforcement in Genesee County.

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Flint Public Library, 1026 E. Kearsley St., Flint, Michigan 48502
Phone (810) 232-7111