LRW Exam questions with complete
solutions
Know what a secondary source is and what authority it has. - correct answer ✔✔A secondary
source is a secondary authority meaning it does not have the force of law. It is something that
describes or comments on primary authorities (law reviews, treatises, practice guides, etc.).
Anyone can make them - scholars, practioners, etc.
Distinguish between a primary source and a secondary source. - correct answer ✔✔A primary
source is a legal authority created by the government and that has the force of the law because
it is the law These are statutes, regulations, and case law. Each branch of government has power
to create its own. A secondary source does not have the force of the law and can be created by
anyone. It describes or comments on primary sources. Secondary sources can sometimes be
better than non-binding primary sources depending on applicability, weightiness, and
geographic authority.
Understand the value of using secondary sources in legal research. - correct answer
✔✔Secondary sources are great starting places for research. They can teach you about new
areas of law, help you find primary authorities, and help you brainstorm authorities. They offer
background, finding primary sources, see big picture, and identify key terms to search.
Key word is new area - if its not a new area you may not need to start here
Be familiar with Missouri-specific secondary sources such as the Missouri Bar CLE publications
and the Missouri Practice series, and know where to find them online. (continuing legal
education) - correct answer ✔✔You can find Missouri Practice only on Westlaw. And MoBarCLE
is available only on Lexis. Written by practioners. Issues governed by state law, a state practice
manual is usually the best secondary source. Give overview as well as give citations to primary
authorities.
Missouri Bar CLE publications: - correct answer ✔✔A multi-volume treatise in which each
volume deals with a legal topic as reflected in Missouri State Law.
, Great for understanding complex issues; cites to primary sources; some forms. Useful in
jurisdiction specific research.
Two print sets in Library: one on reserve, the other in the reference alcove; also available on LA.
Each volume has an index; no comprehensive index. Online offers full text searching and table
of contents.
Missouri practice series: - correct answer ✔✔A multi-volume treatise in which each volume
deals with a legal topic as reflected in Missouri State Law.
Understandable, in depth treatments; cites to primary sources; and many legal and procedural
forms. Useful in jurisdiction specific research.
One print set in the reference alcove; also available on WL.
Each volume has an index; contains a comprehensive index for the set. Online offers full text
searching and table of contents.
Know how to find, use, and search within American Law Reports (A.L.R.), a common
federal/multi-jurisdictional secondary source. - correct answer ✔✔Within secondary sources on
WL, select by topic or search in the search bar
Round up, includes both federal and state court decisions, separated by state or region
Understand what a statute is and what branch of government creates it. - correct answer
✔✔The legislative branch creates statutes in both federal and state courts. Statutes are a
primary authority created by the legislature and are written laws. They are published in the
United States Code (U.S.C.) and the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). Supremacy clause -
same weight as regulation. Arranged by subject matter
Understand what an annotated code is, how it differs from other types of codes, and how to use
its research enhancements. - correct answer ✔✔Annotated codes give summaries and cite to
cases that use the statute, they are secondary sources who cite primary sources. Expand on
regular codes. Don't cite to these. No VAMS. Help legal researchers
solutions
Know what a secondary source is and what authority it has. - correct answer ✔✔A secondary
source is a secondary authority meaning it does not have the force of law. It is something that
describes or comments on primary authorities (law reviews, treatises, practice guides, etc.).
Anyone can make them - scholars, practioners, etc.
Distinguish between a primary source and a secondary source. - correct answer ✔✔A primary
source is a legal authority created by the government and that has the force of the law because
it is the law These are statutes, regulations, and case law. Each branch of government has power
to create its own. A secondary source does not have the force of the law and can be created by
anyone. It describes or comments on primary sources. Secondary sources can sometimes be
better than non-binding primary sources depending on applicability, weightiness, and
geographic authority.
Understand the value of using secondary sources in legal research. - correct answer
✔✔Secondary sources are great starting places for research. They can teach you about new
areas of law, help you find primary authorities, and help you brainstorm authorities. They offer
background, finding primary sources, see big picture, and identify key terms to search.
Key word is new area - if its not a new area you may not need to start here
Be familiar with Missouri-specific secondary sources such as the Missouri Bar CLE publications
and the Missouri Practice series, and know where to find them online. (continuing legal
education) - correct answer ✔✔You can find Missouri Practice only on Westlaw. And MoBarCLE
is available only on Lexis. Written by practioners. Issues governed by state law, a state practice
manual is usually the best secondary source. Give overview as well as give citations to primary
authorities.
Missouri Bar CLE publications: - correct answer ✔✔A multi-volume treatise in which each
volume deals with a legal topic as reflected in Missouri State Law.
, Great for understanding complex issues; cites to primary sources; some forms. Useful in
jurisdiction specific research.
Two print sets in Library: one on reserve, the other in the reference alcove; also available on LA.
Each volume has an index; no comprehensive index. Online offers full text searching and table
of contents.
Missouri practice series: - correct answer ✔✔A multi-volume treatise in which each volume
deals with a legal topic as reflected in Missouri State Law.
Understandable, in depth treatments; cites to primary sources; and many legal and procedural
forms. Useful in jurisdiction specific research.
One print set in the reference alcove; also available on WL.
Each volume has an index; contains a comprehensive index for the set. Online offers full text
searching and table of contents.
Know how to find, use, and search within American Law Reports (A.L.R.), a common
federal/multi-jurisdictional secondary source. - correct answer ✔✔Within secondary sources on
WL, select by topic or search in the search bar
Round up, includes both federal and state court decisions, separated by state or region
Understand what a statute is and what branch of government creates it. - correct answer
✔✔The legislative branch creates statutes in both federal and state courts. Statutes are a
primary authority created by the legislature and are written laws. They are published in the
United States Code (U.S.C.) and the Revised Statutes of Missouri (RSMo). Supremacy clause -
same weight as regulation. Arranged by subject matter
Understand what an annotated code is, how it differs from other types of codes, and how to use
its research enhancements. - correct answer ✔✔Annotated codes give summaries and cite to
cases that use the statute, they are secondary sources who cite primary sources. Expand on
regular codes. Don't cite to these. No VAMS. Help legal researchers
