1049 South Building
Washington, D. C. 20250-9202
Phone: 202-720-6383
Fax: 202-690-0790
Frequently
Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Q.
Why did the
search engine
not find my
cases in pdf
format?
A.
The FirstGov
search engine
looks at both
html and pdf
files that are
stored in the
OALJDecisions
Database. In
order to reduce
the sheer volume
of files that
satisfy the
search criteria,
the search engine
always chooses
a html file
instead of a
pdf file if
both contain
the same text.
Since a html
file is smaller
than the same
text file in
pdf format,
the speed of
the search and
your download
of the file
is enhanced.
If you have
the found the
page number
of the file
(case) you are
looking for,
then go back
to the Chooser
box and choose
pdf as a format
choice and use
the hyperlined
page numbers
to view your
selected case
in the same
form as it exists
in the official
printed copy.
Q.
Why do the pre-2000
cases exist
only in pdf?
A.
The pre-2000
cases were scanned
and converted
to a text searchable
pdf format with
optical character
reader software.
We elected to
choose the pdf
over html because
it "looks like"
the original
text.
Q.
Why did a search
receive results
from many sources
other that from
the USDA Office
of Administrative
Law Judges?
Q.
Why are the
page numbers
listed in the
file called
"Index" or the
file called
"List of decisions
Reported (Alphabetical
Listing)" not
hyperlinked?
A.
We have invested
the labor to
hyperlink the
pages numbers
found in the
"List of Decisions
Reported." We
have not hyperlinked
the List of
Decisions Reported
Alphabetically
and the (Subject
matter) Index.
The search process
to view the
text of a case
which was found
in the non-hyperlinked
files is nearly
the same process
as using a hard
bound book.
i.e. using the
page number
found in the
Index or Alphabetical
Listing, return
to the List
of Decisions
Reported and
use the hyperlink
found there.
Q.
Why is there
no Part 4 for
Volume 59.
A.
The second half
of Volume 60
was the first
edition which
had a Part Four.
Q.
Why can't I
start with page
one of a volume
and scroll through
the cases until
I reach the
last case in
the volume.
A.
The individual
cases in a volume
have been individually
extracted and
hyperlinked
to enhance research
techniques.
Once you have
completed your
viewing of a
particular case,
choose the "Back"
arrow to return
to the hyperlinked
"List of Decisions
Reported" and
choose the next
case you wish
to view.
Q.
How do I parallel
cite a case
found on this
website?
A.
While this website
can not be cited
in lieu of the
hardbound volume,
it does have
the same legal
citation characteristics.
A case found
on page 41 of
Volume 60 January-June
2001edition
would be cited
with the same
rules as set
out in the preface
of each volume.
i.eIn re: George
Russell,
60 Agric. Dec.
41.
Q.
How can I quickly
narrow my search
to a particular
type of case
and thereafter
further search
defined terms
to my search?
A. Notice
that each case
docket number
has a strict
naming convention.
i.g. AMA or
AWA or HPA or
I.&G., etc.
Using that naming
convention and
using the "Advanced
Search"
window
(1) Put the
type of case
in the Key Word
Box.
(2) Put your
secondary inquiry
term in one
of the other
windows. Usually
the "text"
window is most
useful. Example:
put "AMA"
in the key word
window and put
"milk"
in the Must
include window
to get cases
dealing with
Milk Marketing
Orders.
Q.
Why cant
I find all the
Current
ALJ Decisions
on line?
A. We
are working
toward timely
on-line publication
of ALJ decisions
and orders Current
ALJ Decisions
as they become
final. Upon
publication
of the edition
of Agriculture
Decisions which
contains un-appealed
ALJ decisions
or orders or
the publication
of a JO Decision
stemming from
an appeal of
an ALJ decision
or order, the
roster of Current
ALJ Decisions
will be cleared
of that initial
decision, miscellaneous
order and/or
default decision.
Q.
Why cant
I find any pre-2000
cases in my
results from
the use of the
search engine?
A. That
is a work-in-progress.
Please check
back periodically.
Q.
When searching
for a case by
name or Docket
Number in the
pre-2000 cases,
what is the
fastest way
to view the
case on-line.
A. Presently
these volumes
can only be
searched a volume
at a time. Assuming
that you have
found the List
of Decisions
Page (That's
where the case
name, Docket
number, and
page number
appear) - First,
get yourself
into the volume
by opening up
the initial
case in the
volume. Then
try clicking
the Adobe Acrobat
Search Box (The
icon is a pair
of binoculars)
and type in
the exact case
name and if
you are brave
- try making
it case sensitive
and that should
bring you quickly
to the beginning
of the case.
THE CASES REPORTED
ON THIS WEBSITE ARE
TO BE CONSIDERED "SECONDARY
SOURCES" AND
ARE INCLUDED HEREIN
FOR YOUR RESEARCH
CONVENIENCE. LEGAL
CITATIONS TO THESE
CASES SHOULD BE MADE
FROM THE OFFICIAL
VOLUME OF AGRICULTURE
DECISIONS . They
are best viewed using
Internet Explorer6.0
or Netscape 6.0 or
higher-- EDITOR