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Category: Law Library

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Ethical Considerations Related to the Representation of Someone Accused of Witchcraft

Posted by: Robert Brammer

If you find yourself representing someone accused of witchcraft, you will want to consult the Malleus Maleficarum. This treatise, housed in the Law Library of Congress Rare Book Vault, contains everything you need to know to identify a witch, or at least what two theologians and inquisitors believed constituted evidence of witchcraft in 1486 (the …

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How to Contact Your Representative or Senator: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted by: Robert Brammer

This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people …

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Legal Disputes Concerning Trees: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted by: Robert Brammer

This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist It is said that good fences make for good neighbors. The same might not be said for trees, which are a frequent source of litigation among neighbors. Overgrown branches, fallen leaves, and downed trees all serve to embroil neighbors in acrimonious …

The title page for a book the discusses the rules of dueling.

So, you’ve been challenged to a duel. What are the rules?

Posted by: Robert Brammer

It happens. Maybe it was a slight made in haste or a heated argument over who has the better mastery of classical languages and the gauntlet was thrown. Before accepting the challenge, you might want to consider that dueling is illegal, with some states having specific prohibitions against it. Kentucky’s oath of office even requires …

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Health Care Advance Directives: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted by: Robert Brammer

This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis, instructional librarian, and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialist Planning for end of life or critical care is not a favorite topic of conversation, but it is an important one. Having health care advance directives in place can help ensure your wishes are made clear to your loved ones and …

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How Many Federal Laws Were Passed Last Year?

Posted by: Robert Brammer

The following is a guest post by Shameema Rahman, senior legal research specialist in our Public Services Division. The United States Congress passed 115 Public Laws in 2015. The laws are numbered from Public Law 114-1 through Public Law 114-115. The number 114 represents the current congress followed by the numerical order of the law. These public …

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Compiling a Federal Legislative History: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted by: Robert Brammer

This post is coauthored by Barbara Bavis and Robert Brammer, senior legal reference specialists. Compiling a federal legislative history may seem intimidating at first glance, but it does not have to be. In this Beginner’s Guide, we revisit previous posts to create a comprehensive research guide that you can use to compile your own federal legislative …