BASIC LEGAL RESEARCH-RESOURCE GUIDE

Current as of August 3, 2020

Note: This is for information only. It is NOT legal advice. For legal advice, contact an attorney.

FEDERAL LAW

Finding Federal Law:

USA.gov. Federal government information including links to the websites of departments, agencies and branches of government, good source for statutory and legislative materials.

FindLaw. Browsable, searchable database offers U.S. Supreme Court opinions since 1893 and a database of case summaries for lower court opinions. Under Cases & Codes can access state materials.

The Public Library of Law. Database provides free resources including, state and federal cases, court rules, statutes, regulations, forms, and constitutions. Note: Access is free but requires logging in to see full text of case. Can search and get citation without logging in.

US Department of Justice:

-Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

• How to file an ADA complaint: https://www.ada.gov/fact_on_complaint.htm
• Publications and Resources: https://www.ada.gov/ta-pubs-pg2.htm#resources includes materials for state & local governments, and for businesses and non-profits.

-Civil Rights Division: How to file a complaint https://www.justice.gov/crt/how-file-complaint

-Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC):

• How to file an EEOC Charge of Discrimination: https://www.eeoc.gov/filing-charge-discrimination. Note: Potential grounds include race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
• EEOC Publications & Fact Sheets: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/publications/index.cfm
• What to do if you’ve been harassed at work: https://www.eeoc.gov/eeoc/newsroom/wysk/harassed_at_work.cfm

-Hate Crimes: https://www.justice.gov/crt/hate-crimes-0

US Department of Labor:

-FMLA (Family & Medical Leave Act): https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/benefits-leave/fmla

-Wage & Hour Division, Digital Reference Guide to Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/Digital_Reference_Guide_FLSA.pdf

-Determining FFCRA Eligibility: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/ffcra/benefits-eligibility-webtool

INDIANA LAW

Finding Indiana Law:

Indiana General Assembly (IGA) Website: http://iga.in.gov/

• Indiana Constitution and Indiana Code
• Find your Legislator
• Digest of Enactments – The digest of every bill passed during the 2020 session.
• Look for 2020 bills by bill number , subject or legislator.
• Indiana Administrative Code
• Indiana Register (Current)

Indiana Courts:

Indiana Legal Help (Coalition for Court Access Resources) https://indianalegalhelp.org/

• Child Support Guidelines: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/child_support/index.html
• Child Support Calculator: http://mycourts.in.gov/csc/parents/
• Child Support Arrearage Calculation (worksheet):
• https://indianalegalhelp.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/ArrearageCalculation.pdf

Indiana Child Support Hotline – 800.840.8757
Automated payment information available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Customer service representatives available 7:00 AM until 6:00 PM EST Monday-Friday.

• Divorce: https://indianalegalhelp.org/court-forms/forms-divorce/
• Expungement forms: https://indianalegalhelp.org/court-forms/expungement-warning-page/ * *Note: Tread carefully. Can only do 1 time so mistakes could have enormous consequences.
• Guardianship: https://indianalegalhelp.org/court-forms/guardianship/
• Marriage license, Apply for: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/2605.htm
• Mortgage help: https://indianalegalhelp.org/court-forms-test/forms-mortgage-and-housing/
• Parenting Time Guidelines: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/parenting/
• Parenting Time Calendar: https://public.courts.in.gov/PTC/#/ (for ages 3 and up, enter info and it proposes calendar based on guidelines)

Indiana Parenting Time Helpline – 844.836.0003
Available from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. EST Monday – Friday.  Staffed by licensed attorneys who can provide education about parenting time guidelines, information about visitation questions, and relevant referrals for assistance.

• Small Claims Court: Damages limited to $8,000. Marion County small claims court rules differ from the rest of the state. Video: Representing Yourself in Small Claims Court

Small Claims in Marion County, rules and forms

Small Claim Outside of Marion County

• Indiana Legal Services:

Eviction: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/eviction/

Immigration: https://www.indianalegalservices.org/ilrc/

• Finding an attorney:

Local Bar Associations: http://www.inbar.org/?page=local_bars *

*Note: Local bar referrals are not going to be for low cost or free services.

Indiana Pro Bono Districts, contact information: https://indianalegalhelp.org/find-legal-help/

• Power of Attorney Forms: More than one type. Only found reliable form for Health Care POA.

Indiana State Department of Health – Advance Directive Resource Center forms for Appointment of Health Care Representative (living will), Power of Attorney for Health Care Decisions, and POST: http://www.in.gov/isdh/25880.htm

• Finding a notary:

Try your bank, city or town hall, county courthouse, printing and shipping businesses.

UPS Stores: https://www.theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services

Professional Licensing Agency E verification (under profession pick Notary Public, under license status pick active then narrow down by city, zip code, or county): https://mylicense.in.gov/everification/Search.aspx

• Standard Reference: Black’s Law Dictionary
• Other Useful Guides:

How to Read a Legal Citation (BYU Law Library)

Introduction to Shepard’s Citators (BYU Law Library)

The Basics – Self-Help Legal Research Guide (University of Missouri Libraries)