Case Law Research Guide  Tags: case_law law united_states_law us_law law_government_documents  

The laws of the United States come in various forms.  The three main sources of the nation's laws come from the three branches of government.  These include statutes or acts passed by the legislative branch; administrative rules and regulations generated by agencies of the executive branch; and opinions, or case decisions, issued by the courts of the judicial branch.  Judicial opinions are especially significant because they apply or interpret the laws created by the legislative and executive branches.  The rulings in these opinions have binding precedent; in other words, when one court reaches a decision in a particular case, future courts in the same jurisdiction must follow that decision when considering cases with similar legal circumstances.  The original ruling has precedent until a higher court overturns it.

This research guide provides an introduction to the process of researching judicial opinions, or case law, at the federal and state (Mississippi) levels.  For further assistance, please contact the LaDonne Delgado at (662) 325-7660 or Email a Librarian, or visit any of the Service Desks on the second floor of the Library.