Placing the definition and the legal authority
- In the first step, research and define each legal term placing the definition and the legal authority (primary sources or secondary sources supported by a primary source) in the first column. A legal authority must support the legal term as a primary source citation. The legal authority must demonstrate how the precedent definition is applied (constitutional provisions, legislative statutes, state laws, ordinances, or legal cases). Limit secondary source citations (encyclopedias, textbooks, attorney legal publications, and law school references) to identify the source leading to the primary source. When a secondary source quotes a definition, search for the primary source (i.e., the case; statute) within the secondary source’s material. Define each term, study the term’s application to the case studies, and critical “issues” that determine a case’s outcome.
- In the first step, research and define each legal term placing the definition and the legal authority (primary sources or secondary sources supported by a primary source) in the first column. A legal authority must support the legal term as a primary source citation. The legal authority must demonstrate how the precedent definition is applied (constitutional provisions, legislative statutes, state laws, ordinances, or legal cases). Limit secondary source citations (encyclopedias, textbooks, attorney legal publications, and law school references) to identify the source leading to the primary source. When a secondary source quotes a definition, search for the primary source (i.e., the case; statute) within the secondary source’s material. Define each term, study the term’s application to the case studies, and critical “issues” that determine a case’s outcome.