7. OH Ct. Decision: Use & Tips
URL: www.supremecourt.ohio.gov/ROD/docs/default.asp
Cost: Free
Searching formats: By WebCite, By
Full Text
WebCite Search Tip: Citation Field
follows this format: YYYY-Ohio-
NNNN. Must also set Decided Field
for proper year
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9. Bloomberg Law
URL: https://www.bloomberglaw.com/
Cost: $$
Searching formats: Prompts
Citation Search, Court
Opinion By Case Name
Citation Search Tip: Must
use hyphens Ohio’s Public
Domain Citation Format (i.e.
2007-ohio-2204)
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10. Annotated Decisions
• Westlaw Classic ($$) - instructions included
• WestlawNext
• LexisNexis for Law School ($$) - instructions
included
• Lexis Advance
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11. Westlaw Classic (WLC)
Searching formats:
• Find a Case by Citation
• Find Case by Party Name
• Find a Case by Title Search
• Finding a Case Law Database
• Word Searches in a Case Law Database
• Field Searches
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12. WLC: Find a Case by Citation
Search Process
1. Click Find & Print on the
toolbar or use the Find
by Citation text box in
the left frame of the Law
School tab page.
2. Enter the case's citation
and click GO.
Citation Formatting Tip:
can use any of following
formats:
865 N.E. 2d 1282
865 NE2d 1282
865ne2d1282
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13. WLC: Find a Case by Party Name
Search Process
1. If you know one or more of the
parties’ names, click Find a Case
by Party Name in the left frame.
2. Type one/both of the parties’
names in text boxes.
3. Select the jurisdiction in which
the case was heard or the
reporter in which it was
published.
4. Click Go.
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14. WLC: Word Searches in Case Law Database
• All case law databases on Westlaw can be
searched using:
– Natural Language Search
– Terms and Connectors Search
• In addition, all cases that are included in the
National Reporter System reporters can be
searched:
– Using Key Numbers Search
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15. WLC: Terms and Connectors
For Terms and Connectors
searching, use connectors to specify
the relationships that must exist
between the terms in your retrieved
documents.
For example:
1. Search within Ohio State Cases (OH-CS)
2. Search: "traffic stop" /5 "unconstitution! prolong!" & "warrantless
search“
3. Five results that include one Ohio Supreme Court case and four Ohio
Appellate cases.
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16. WL Classic: Field/Segment Restrictions
Field Searches: very focused form of a Terms and Connectors search. Knowing the fields in a database and what
materials are contained in each field can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of your Westlaw research.
Using Field Restrictions with Terms and Connectors Search:
1. The fields available for a database are displayed in the Fields drop-down list at the Search page.
2. Type a Terms and Connectors query in the Search text box.
3. Select a field from the Fields drop-down list. The field abbreviation followed by parenthesis in which you can
type your term is added to the Search text box.
For example: if you select Judge - JU( ) from the Fields drop-down list, JU( ) is added to your query in the Search text
box. Remember to add the AND (&) connector to connect the field to the rest of your query. Type your terms in the
parentheses, e.g., JU(o’connor).
For example:
1. Search within Ohio State Cases (OH-CS)
2. Search: "traffic stop" /5 "unconstitution!
prolong!" & "warrantless search & ju(o’connor)”
3. One results from Ohio Supreme Court
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17. WC: Field/Segment Searches
• Field Searches are a very focused form of a Terms
and Connectors search. Knowing the fields in case
law databases and what materials are contained in
each field can increase the effectiveness and
efficiency of your Westlaw research.
For example:
1. Search within Ohio State Cases (OH-CS)
2. Search: "traffic stop" /5 "unconstitution! prolong!" & "warrantless
search & ju(o’connor)”
3. One results from Ohio Supreme Court
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18. WL Classic: Other Field Searches
Some of the most common field searches in case law
databases are:
• Title field (when you know the names of the litigants):
ti(miranda & arizona)
• Words & Phrases field (to retrieve judicial definitions of
terms: wp("constructive trust")
• Synopsis/Digest combined field (to focus on central issues
in the case law):sy,di("student loan" /p discharge!)
• Multiple field search in the Judge field, the Attorney field,
and the Date field: ju(warren) & at(marshall) & da(1966)
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19. WestlawNext (WLN)
• Retrieving a Document by Citation
• Using Advanced Search
• Using Content Type Advance Search Templates
• Using Required and Excluded Terms
• and Commands
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20. WLN: Searching by Citation
1. To retrieve a
document by citation,
type the citation into
the Search Box and
click Search.
2. WestlawNext will open
the document.
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21. WLN: Searching by Citation
With Multiple Results:
1. If multiple documents match the citation you are
looking for, WestlawNext will return a list of documents
that match the citation you entered.
2. Use Find Command, i.e. Fi: <citation>; Find: <citation>)
a. The Find command will bypass the WestlawNext search system
entirely and treat all terms following the colon as a citation.
b. You should use the Fi: command when you are uncertain of the
format of the citation and want to prevent a search from running if
the citation is not valid. If WestlawNext does not recognize the
citation as entered, a message will be displayed to that effect.
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22. WLN: Advanced Search
• Advanced Search allows you to construct a detailed
search using additional criteria and tools such as
Boolean Terms & Connectors.
• Additionally, using specific WestlawNext Commands
will allow you to run a specialized search or a search
over one particular publication or database.
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23. WLN: Advanced Search Template
1. On the home page, click Advanced
Link in the upper right corner.
2. In the Find documents that have
section, enter the terms in the
appropriate text boxes:
a. All of these terms text box;
b. Any of these terms text box;
c. This exact phrase text box ;
d. Exclude...these terms text box .
3. The Advanced Search Query is
automatically displayed in the
Search Box at the top of the page.
4. If you want to change the
Jurisdiction, select a different one
at the top of page.
5. Click Search at the top of the page.
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24. WLN: Advanced Search Commands
Template Command Boolean Operator Description Search
All of these terms & Will be treated as
construction & defect
This exact phrase “ “ This exact phrase. Will be treated as
Note: Multiple phrases are not "medical malpractice"
allowed; use All of these terms
text box instead.
Any of these terms OR Either of these terms. Will be treated as
physician OR surgeon
Exclude... these OR All of these terms Will be treated as
terms Commands
physician OR surgeon
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25. WLN: Adv. Search
1. Browse to content page (Cases Ohio State Case Template
> Ohio State & Federal Cases >
Ohio State Cases)
2. Click the Advanced Link in the
upper right corner
3. The Ohio State Cases -
Advanced Search Template is
displayed.
4. The first two sections function
the same way as the Advanced
Search template on the home
page.
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26. LexisNexis for Law Schools (LN)
Searching formats:
• Find a Case by Citation
• Find Case by Party Name
• Find a Case by Title Search
• Finding a Case Law Database
• Word Searches in a Case Law Database
• Field Searches
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27. LN: Find Case by Citation
To retrieve a case by citation:
1. Click the Get a Document tab at the top of
page
2. Click the By Citation subtab
3. Enter an exact citation in the field provided.
4. To search using multiple citations, click either
the Get & Print link or the Shepard's
BriefCheck link.
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28. LN: Find Case by Party Name
To retrieve a case by citation:
1. Click the Get a Document tab at
the top of page
2. Click the By Party Name subtab
– You can use this feature to
retrieve cases when you know the
names of one or more of the
parties involved.
3. Enter the party names & Select
Jurisdiction
4. Then click Search to retrieve the
document.
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29. LN: Word Searches in Case Law Databases
All case law databases on Lexis can be searched using:
• Natural Language Search
• Terms and Connectors Search
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30. LN: Basic Connectors
Connector Purpose Example
OR Synonym car OR auto OR vehicle
W/# Proximity ten commandment w/20 war memorial
/# Proximity car /10 injure
W/S Proximity Within the same sentence.
W/P Proximity Within the same paragraph
AND Required assumption of risk AND golf; AND date is 1997; AND
date aft 5/2002; AND date bef 9/5/1976
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31. LN: Field/Segment Searches
• Field Searches are a very focused form of a Terms
and Connectors search.
• Knowing the fields in case law databases and what
materials are contained in each field can increase
the effectiveness and efficiency of your research.
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32. LN: Field/Segment Searches
• Documents have a structure that is common to all
documents of that type. In Lexis , this structure is
called segments. (Westlaw. its Fields)
• Segments are the parts of the document.
– For example, Cases contain name, date, court, opinion, and
dissent segments, among others.
• Segment searching is especially useful when you are
looking for:
– Opinions written by a particular judge
– Cases involving a particular party
– Cases in which a particular attorney or firm appeared as
counsel
– Cases decided on, before, or after a particular date
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33. LN: Field/Segment Searches
To see a list of segments for the source selected in the search form you're
using:
1. Click the drop-down list in the "Restrict by Segment" section of the
form.
To select a segment for your search or to add a segment-restricted search
to the terms you've already entered in the search box, follow these steps:
1. Select a connector from the Search Connectors list, if you're adding a
segment restriction to terms in the search box.
2. Select a Segment from the drop-down list.
3. Enter your Segment-Related Search Terms in the Text Box next to the
segment drop-down list.
4. For a Terms and Connectors search, click Add to transfer your
segment search criteria to the search terms.
– ate
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34. LN: Common Law Segments
Segment Description
Cite The citation of the case in an official reporter or parallel reference.
Counsel The name of individuals, law firms, or organizations representing a party of
interest in the case.
Court The name of the court that heard the case.
Disposition The final decision of the court. You can search this segment by date.
History The prior and subsequent history of the case.
Judges The names of the judges hearing the case.
Name The names of all the parties involved in a case.
Number The docket number(s) assigned to a case by the court.
Opinion The text of the opinion issued by the court. It includes the majority, dissent, and
concurrence.
Writtenby The name of the judge(s) authoring the opinion, including the majority,
concurrence, and dissent.
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35. LN: Date Segments
Segments that involve numbers, such as dates, use
one of two arithmetic operators shown below:
Operators Description Example
= , is Equal to or is Date = 1997 or Date is 1997
> , aft Greater than or after date > December 31, 1997 or
date aft December 31, 1997
< , bef less than or before date < 1/1/1997 or date bef
1/1/1997
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36. Lexis Advance (LA)
Searching formats:
• Find a Case by Citation
• Restrict Search by Cases
• Restrict Search by Filters
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37. LA: Find Case by Citation
To find an individual document when you
know the citation:
1. Enter the citation in the Search
Box.
2. Click Search.
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38. LA: Restrict Search By Cases
1. Click the All Content Types drop-down list
(the first list on the left under the search
box).
2. Select one or more Check Boxes for the
Content Types to restrict your search. (For
example, restrict case law, select Cases
check box)
3. Click OK to close the Content Type Dialog
Box.
4. Enter your search terms.
5. Click the Search Button.
6. Your results will contain documents only
from the content types you selected.
• Note: The selection you make from the
content-type drop-down list will be displayed
on the search form and used for future
searches until you change it.
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39. LA: Restrict Search by Filters
You can restrict your search to a specific content type, jurisdiction, or practice area and topic, so you have fewer results;
you can also restrict your search to a specific source. When you get your results, you can narrow them further using the
filters on your results page.
To restrict your search, follow these steps:
1. Enter your search terms in Lexis Advance Search Box (i.e. "traffic stop" w/8 prolong!)
2. Click a drop-down list under the search box to display the filters that are available, or select a filter from the
Recent and Favorite Filters panel.
3. Select one or more Check Boxes for the categories you want to restrict your search to. For example, to Restrict
to Case Law, select the Cases Check Box in the Content Type Drop-down List.
4. To select a content type to display first in your results, select it from the Start in drop-down list. A flag ( Display
these results first) displays next to the content type you selected.
5. When your results display, the content type you selected displays as the first tab. If you don't make a selection,
results in the Cases content type display first.
6. Click OK to close the filter.
7. Click another filter and make your selections, if you want to restrict your search further.
8. Click Search.
Note: The filters you have used recently are displayed on the Recent and Favorite Filters panel.
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