Disclaimer
While the reference staff makes every effort to help patrons use the law library’s print and digital collection, the unauthorized practice of law is prohibited by Business & Professions Code §6125 and is an unlawful practice for the purposes of §17200.
We Can:
o Direct you to where items are located in the library
o Help you find legal citations
o Suggest specific titles or sections in regards to your question(s)
o Explain how a set of books is organized and indexed
o Show you how to use the web catalog and various legal databases
o Photocopy or e-mail you a specific citation for a fee
o Refer you to another library if our library does not have the resources you need
o Refer you to legal assistance organizations in the area
o Give you the telephone numbers for bar associations’ lawyer referral services and show you directories of attorneys and how to use them
We Cannot:
o Give legal advice or state opinions on legal issues
o Interpret or explain the law, regulations, court cases, and any other documents
o Help you fill in any forms or type motions, petitions, orders, or stipulations
o Select specific forms, motions, petitions, orders, or stipulations for you
o Do legal research for you
o Tell you whether a statue or case is still good law or has been overruled
o Aid you in non-legal computer usage
Telephone Reference Services
We Can:
o Search our catalog to check if the library has the book, loose-leaf, or law review you are looking for
o Provide telephone numbers, addresses, websites for bar associations, libraries, legal publishers, state, and federal government agencies, courts, legislative bodies, and similar organizations
o Photocopy, fax, or e-mail you a case, rule, statute, jury instruction, or definition with a specific citation fee
o Refer you to legal assistance organizations in the area
o Refer you to bar associations’ lawyer referral services
We Cannot:
o Read cases, statutes, court rules, or definitions to you over the phone
o Return long distance calls
San Joaquin County Law Library 