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There are several databases on Westlaw for finding state materials depending on the type
of document (cases, statutes, rules, etc.) you're trying to obtain and whether
you want to search an individual state, a combination of states or all states.
If you're not sure what database you need, the best place to start is with the
Westlaw Database Directory at http://directory.westlaw.com/. Once you're in the
directory, select "U.S. State Materials." The list of state materials leads to
databases to search individual state documents or databases to search specific
materials for all states.
If you select "Other U.S. States," you will retrieve a list of the 50 states.
Each state contains a list of materials covered such as cases, statutes, court
rules, law reviews, directories, jury instructions and forms, to name a few.
If you need more information about the database, click on the green "i" (
information) button. Once you have selected the database, you can click on the
database identifier (i.e. AL-CS for Alabama cases) and it will take you to the
Westlaw homepage where you can sign in and begin your search.
If you select "Case Law," you will obtain a list of databases that contains
state cases. ALLSTATES contains all state cases after 1944. There are other
databases for cases before 1945, regional case reporters, combined federal &
state case, and a list of all the individual state case databases.
If you select "Statutes & Legislative Services," you will obtain a list of
databases that contains state statutes. ST-ANN-ALL or ST-ALL
contains all the state statutes. There is also a list of individual state statutes
that you can search individually or combine to search more than one state at a
time (AL-ST-ANN for
Alabama, KY-ST-ANN for Kentucky, etc.). Some states also have official and unofficial
versions as well as annotated and unannotated versions.
The same choices of either searching an "all states" database or an individual
state database continues for "Legislative Tracking Materials", "Court Rules & Orders"
and "Administrative & Executive Materials." There is also a list of databases under
"Multistate Public Records Databases" that covers bankruptcy filings, fictitious
business names and people finders for all states or you can restrict your search to
specific states.
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