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American Law Reports

Provides patrons with information about what American Law Reports are and how to use them.

American Law Reports

What is A.L.R.? American Law Reports (A.L.R.) is a secondary resource that:
  • Discusses legal topics with summaries & citations of all cases on point.
  • Is published in six series or sets of state law and one set of federal law.
  • Indicates which cases are controlling and on point.
  • Discusses, thoroughly, unsettled areas of law, e.g., splits in federal circuits.
  • Organizes cases by jurisdiction, legal rule or outcome.
  • Lists resources for continuing research, including statutes and regulations.
  • Cross‐references cases to the West Topic and Key Number system (for recent years).
  • Has a digest helpful for locating topics and issues, as well as annotations.
  • Is online in both LexisAdvance and WestlawNext.
  • In print, updates cases in pocket parts and supplements.

CAVEAT: A.L.R. annotations are seldom cited in briefs and cases. Courts prefer citations to primary law, e.g., cases, statutes, regulations, and constitutions.

How to Use A.L.R. in WestlawNext

  • From West’s Law school page:
  • Click on WestlawNext at the top of the toolbar.
  • Under All Content, click on Secondary Sources.
  • Under By Type, click on American Law Reports, and then type in your search words in the search box or browse by a specific topic.
  • OR
  • You can type “ALR” into the main search bar and select “American Law Reports”

How to Use A.L.R. in LexisAdvance
  • Sign into LexisAdvance
  • Search “ALR” in the main search bar and select “American Law Reports”
  • OR
  • Select Browse Sources
  • Then narrow by (use the filters on the left hand side of the screen) Secondary Materials Narrow further by Jurisprudence
  • Select American Law Reports (ALR) from the options listed

How to Use A.L.R. in print:
  • Look up your topic in an index at the end of a series or set.
    • The Quick Index is helpful but not complete.
    • Use the digests for A.L.R. and A.L.R.2d or the combined digest for A.L.R. 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, and Fed., which include 400+ alphabetical topics.
    • Look for updates in the Annotation History tables (in the Index volumes)
  • Find the annotated case.
    • By its citation, e.g., 7 A.L.R. 6th 487 or 16 A.L.R. Fed. 440.
    • Volume 7, A.L.R. 6th series, page 487; volume 16, A.L.R. Fed. series, page 440.
  • Look at the article outline, index, jurisdictional table of cases & references section for further research resources.
  • Check for updates: in the pocket part and in a newer, updated edition.
  • Check the Annotation History Table (in the Index volumes) for a more current annotation.
  • Call the Latest Case Service at 1‐800‐225‐7488.
  • Keycite or Shepardize the citations to law.

Bluebook Citation Format From THE BLUEBOOK: A UNIFORM SYSTEM OF CITATION (19th ed. 2010), Rule 16.7.6, Annotations, p. 156:

“William B. Johnson, Annotation, Use of a Plea Bargain or Grant of Immunity as Improper Vouching for Credibility of Witness in Federal Cases, 76 A.L.R. FED. 409 (1986)”
 

 

References: