OVERVIEW
- Purpose
- Is this a legal question?
- What type of legal question is it?
- How do you find it?
- Other legal links
Definition of Law
- Law-A rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority. (Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary).
- Not everything is a "law question"
- Questions to ask yourself:
- Is it a rule?
- Is it stated (i.e., published) somewhere?
- Is it created by an official body?
- Is it enforceable or binding?
- Is it governmental?
| LEGAL QUESTIONS OR NOT? | YES | NO | SOURCE | TYPE |
| How do I find information about setting up a private practice as a dental hygienist? | ||||
| What are the rules for a cyber-pharmacist selling drugs on the web? | ||||
| As a health provider, how do I find out about services to recent immigrants? | ||||
| Can you tell me how to interpret the rules for medical use of marijuana? What are the pros & cons? | ||||
| Can you tell me how to cite legal materials? | ||||
| What are the laws regarding privileged communications in Washington State for social workers? |
Possible Health-Related Legal Questions
- Practice-What medical drugs or devices are approved by the FDA?
- Business-What kind of licenses do I need to start my own private practice?
- Clients/Patients-What are the laws regarding confidentiality?
- Products-How do I patent a medical procedure I have developed?
WHAT TYPE OF LEGAL QUESTION IS IT?
Types of Laws
- Constitutional: US and State Constitutions
- Statutory: acts, codes, session laws
- Legislative: bills, resolutions, initiatives
- Administrative/Regulatory: decisions, rules, regulations, orders, proclamations
- Case Law: decisions and rules
- Other: Attorney General Opinions, Treaties (Multiple Parties)
Chart of Legal Sources
| LEVEL | EXECUTIVE | LEGISLATIVE | JUDICIAL | |
| FEDERAL | Source | President/Depts. | Congress | Supreme Court Federal Courts |
| Type | Executive Orders, CFR, FR | US Code, US Statutes, Public Laws, Bills & Resolutions | US Reports, Federal Reporter | |
| STATE | Source | Governor/Depts. (WA State) | State Legislature (WA State) | State Courts (WA State) |
| Type | Executive Orders, WAC, WA Register | RCW, Session Laws, Bills & Resolutions | National Reporter System | |
| LOCAL | Source | Mayor/Depts. (Seattle) | City Council/Assembly (Seattle) | Municipal Courts (Seattle) |
| Type | Charter, Municipal Codes, Ordinances | |||
Questions to Ask Yourself:
- What is the main issue?
- What is the time frame?
- What is the jurisdiction?
- What type of legal question is it?
- What kind of source do I use?
- Do I need background information?
Case Example #1
Question: How do I find information about setting up a private practice as a dental hygienist in Washington State?
- Main issues: private practice, licensing, dental hygiene
- Current issue
- Jurisdiction: state government licensing board, i.e., Washington State Board of Licensing
- Type of law: legislative, statutory, regulatory
- Source: RCW, WAC, Bills/Initiatives
- Search tools:
- WA State Legislature:
www.leg.wa.gov - Municipal Research & Services Center:
www.mrsc.org - Lexis-Nexis
(UW only):
web.lexis-nexis.com/universe
- WA State Legislature:
Case Example #2
Question: What are the laws regarding the privacy of medical information?
- Main issues: privacy, medical records
- Current issue
- Jurisdiction: federal or state government
- Type of law: legislative, statutory, regulatory
- Sources: US Code, Executive Order, CFR
- Background: law review articles, newspapers, magazines
- Search tools:
- US Government:
www.gpoaccess.gov/ - White House:
www.whitehouse.gov/library/ - LegalTrac:
www.infotrac-custom.com/itweb/wash_lt
- US Government:
- UW Libraries Government Publications:
www.lib.washington.edu/Govpubs/ - UW Gallagher Law Library:
lib.law.washington.edu - WA State Government:
access.wa.gov - US Government:
www.gpoaccess.gov - American Association of Law Libraries:
www.allnet.org
Head, Social Work Library
Library Liaison to the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute, Institute on Aging, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences (Co-Liaison with Nanette Welton), School of Social Work, Harborview Social Workers, and UWMC Social Workers
leea@u.washington.edu
healthlinks.washington.edu/hsl/liaisons/lee.html
Created: 02-Nov-1999
Updated: Thursday, 26-Jul-2007 18:14:57 PDT
This page may be reprinted or adapted for academic nonprofit purposes, providing the source is accurately quoted and credited.
http://healthlinks.washington.edu/howto/lawresearch.html
Last Updated: Thursday, 26-Jul-2007 18:14:57 PDT
http://healthlinks.washington.edu/howto/lawresearch.html