Resources
What Is Legal Research?
If you represent yourself in court, you are responsible for knowing the rules and laws that apply to your case. Legal research is the process of finding the law and rules that apply to your legal problem or support your side in a legal case.
Important: Representing yourself can be risky. If you are not trained as a lawyer, it is often difficult to find all the information you need to effectively present your case. Some legal issues are too complicated to research on your own. Because legal research can be time-consuming and difficult, the best thing you can do is talk to a lawyer about your legal problems. However, if you cannot find a lawyer, or choose to go forward with your case on your own, the following information may be helpful as you begin your legal research.
Where to Start Legal Research in Wyoming?
It is sometimes difficult to determine what the law is for any given legal issue. If you are new to legal research, you can begin by reading one of the many guides available to explain the legal research process and legal resources. Some recommended guides are:
- How to Research a Legal Problem: A Guide for Non-Lawyers by the George W. Hopper Law Library and the University of Wyoming College of Law
- Basics of Laws and Legal Research from Nolo.com
- Legal Research: An Overview, prepared by the Cornell Legal Information Institute
You can also find legal resources and help for conducting your research in the following places.
Do-It-Yourself Guides
Self-help law books are often the best place for people who are not lawyers to start their legal research. These books provide an overview of the law on a particular topic and guidance on how to proceed with certain types of cases.
Nolo is the primary publisher of self-help law books on a wide range of topics, including:
- Wills
- Estate planning
- Retirement
- Elder care
- Personal finance
- Taxes
- Housing
- Real estate
- Divorce
- Child custody
- And more
You can find many Nolo books in Wyoming’s public libraries.
Public Libraries in Wyoming
Your local county library likely has print versions of the Wyoming Constitution, Wyoming Statutes, and Wyoming Court Rules. The print versions of the statutes and rules also contain references to past cases that might apply to your situation. (Note: to read the full text of cases, you may have to look online or go to a law library).
Your local library may also have useful self-help law books. If the library does not have the books at their location, they can request them via interlibrary loan. You can ask your local library to see what additional legal resources they provide.
Find your closest library with the library directory on the Wyoming State Library website.
Law Libraries in Wyoming
Law libraries are staffed by professionals experienced in helping attorneys and the public use legal resources and do legal research.
Law libraries have federal and state constitutions, statutes, regulations, and case law in their collections. They also have many other books and databases that discuss the law and information needed to bring a specific type of case through the courts. These resources are primarily designed for law students and attorneys practicing law. However, they can be useful for others interested in researching an area of law, too. You may have to visit the law library in-person to use specialized resources.
The Wyoming State Law Library website provides information and guidance about legal research resources available in Wyoming, including the services provided by the law library. The website also has links to many online legal resources including Wyoming and federal statutes, regulations, and cases.
Wyoming State Statutes
The Wyoming state laws (Statutes) and Constitution are available for anyone to view online on the Wyoming State Legislature’s website.
Wyoming Court Rules
The Wyoming Judicial Branch website has court rules for all of Wyoming’s state and local courts. The rules govern things such as what papers you need to file, when you have to file them, the required fees, what type of evidence is allowed, etc.
Cornell Legal Information Institute – Federal and State Statutes
Cornell Law School’s Legal Information Institute has constitutions, statutes, and legislative information for the federal government and all 50 states.
Court Listener – Case Search
Finding cases similar to your own can help you understand and make legal arguments. Court Listener, part of the Free Law Project, provides free case law searches. Court Listener does not have all federal and state court cases, but their database is always growing. Try to look for cases in the same state as where you have your legal problem and watch out for cases that have been overturned by a higher court.
Congress.gov
Congress.gov has information about current congressional activities and federal bills.
Click the button below to view a YouTube video about legal research.