BUSI 3312: Business Law   Tags: articles, business, course guides, law, pre-law, research  

Reference Help

• Use our online email form. Most responses within 1 business day.
• Call (806) 651-2215 during library hours
• Stop by the first floor reference desk anytime the library is open

Circulation and Reserves

• Call (806) 651-2223 during library hours
• Renew items using My account feature of the online catalog

Other Departments

• Staff Directory

Need Help?

*Contact Carolyn Ottoson (651-2204) cottoson@wtamu.edu    

 Govt Docs Dept on the 2^nd floor

Connecting From Home

To connect to databases from home, you will need to use Buff Advisor login.  Example:

     js123456

     Buffalo3s

What is a Citation?

For a case, the citation is:

     ● volume number

     ● name of book (the “case reporter”—often abbreviated)

     ● first page number of the case

          ◘  Example:   542 U.S. 1

          ◘  Example:   124 S. Ct. 2301

          ◘  Example:   159 L. Ed. 2d 98

     ● 542 U.S. 1 is a U.S. Supreme court case.  It is printed in

           volume 542 of United States Reports .  Page 1 is the first

           page of the case.

     ● TIP:  All the above citations are for the same case, but printed

           In different books by different publishers!

What to “Brief” – U.S. Supreme Court Case:

► Syllabus – written by Supreme Court employee, not judge.

Has summary & holdings.  Not the “Opinion.”  Do not brief it.

► Opinion – appears after Case Summary, Headnotes, Decision,

Summary, Syllabus, Counsel, Judges.  Any information before

Opinion (except syllabus) is written by the publisher and could be

incorrect, so do not rely on it.  Brief the Opinion.  Do not brief the

information before the Opinion.

► Concurring or dissenting opinions – IF written for a case, will

have the heading “CONCUR” or “DISSENT”. These are printed

after the Opinion of the case, so may appear to be part of the text

of the opinion.  But not the Opinion. Still, may want to brief.

► Footnotes – sometimes easier to read a case by penciling

an “X” through every footnote. Then read the case. Next, go

back to read the footnotes.

► Easiest way to read a case – find it in print in the library, if

available.  (Some newer cases  have link to PDF!)

or text to: (806) 337-0808