Legal Research - Online

Legal Research - Online


Electronic Legal Research Databases and Websites


The Hays County Law Library is primarily an electronic research library with select print research materials.

 

To provide patrons with an extensive list of resources, the Law Library utilizes Westlaw Patron Edge as its primary resource for research. To learn more about the resources available in Westlaw and print in the Law Library, review the information below for details. Information on how to access Westlaw is also available below.



Westlaw - Legal Research Database

The Hays County Law Library offers access to Westlaw Patron Access for electronic legal research.


  • Westlaw Patron Access - Content List (On-Site)

    Westlaw is a legal research database that allows users to access laws, rules, statutes, practice guides, forms, drafting materials, and more. The Law Library has access to Westlaw Patron Edge, which includes, but is not limited to, the following:


    • West Search Plus
    • Westlaw Core: All Primary Law - Federal, State, and Texas 
    • Legal Know-How: Practical Law
    • Forms – including fillable Word forms
    • Secondary Materials - Analytical Plus, including, but not limited to, the following:
    • All Analytical-Secondary: Federal and state case law, administrative decisions, 50 state statutes (including United States Code Annotated), and administrative rules and regulations, including the following:
    • American Law Reports (ALR)
    • American Jurisprudence (AMJUR) Library
    • Law Reviews and Journals
    • Texas Secondary Resources:
    • McDonald & Carlson Texas Civil Practice
    • Texas Jurisprudence
    • Texas Practice Series
    • Texas Jurisprudence Pleading & Practice Forms
    • Texas Forms Legal & Business
    • West's Texas Forms
    • O’Connor’s Codes & Rules, Commentaries, & Forms
    • O'Connor's Texas Business & Commerce Code Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Business Organizations Code Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas CPRC Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Criminal Codes Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Employment Codes Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Estates Code Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Family Code Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Oil & Gas
    • O'Connor's Texas Property Code Plus
    • O'Connor's Texas Causes of Action
    • O'Connor's Texas Civil Appeals
    • O'Connor's Texas Crimes & Consequences
    • O'Connor's Texas Criminal Offenses & Defenses
    • O'Connor's Texas Family Law Handbook
    • O'Connor's Texas Probate Law Handbook
    • O'Connor's Texas Rules Civil Trials
    • Texas Rules of Evidence Handbook
    • O'Connor's Texas Causes of Action Pleadings
    • O'Connor's Texas Civil Forms
    • O'Connor's Texas Family Law Forms
    • Davis's Texas Estate Planning Forms
    • Texas Forms Real Estate
    • O'Connor's Texas Probate Forms
    • O’Connor’s Federal Codes, Rules, and Forms
  • Westlaw Patron Access - Content List (Remote/Off-Site)

    National Primary Law  

    Provides access to primary law content including access to state and federal editorially enhanced caselaw, annotated statutes,  regulations, and administrative materials.  The plan also contains the industry’s premier citator KeyCite along with selected legislative materials, legislative histories,  and Graphical Statutes.


    Analytical Plus 

    This superior collection of thousands of high-value titles allows for quick review of specific points of law.  You will be able to cover unfamiliar ground quickly and easily.  The set combines expert legal analytics from treatises, forms, and  jury instructions.  Also includes valuable state-specific analytical content, more than 600,000 up to date national and state forms, law reviews and journals, and hundreds of news sources. See attached for specific titles.


  • Westlaw Patron Access - User Guide

    Click the link below for a guide on using Westlaw.


    Westlaw Patron Access Help Guide

Westlaw Quick Links


Westlaw Access is available inside the Law Library or Government Center on a personal device when connected to the County WIFI.

Existing remote access users should use the link they were emailed for access.

Attorneys with their own existing Westlaw accounts can use this link to access.

Legal Research Websites
  • Texas State Law Library

    Texas State Law Library (TSLL) assists with the legal research needs of the Texas Supreme Court, the Court of Criminal Appeals, the Office of the Attorney General, state agencies and commissions, and the citizens of the State. It is a public Law Library that provides resources to the general public representing themselves in legal matters. The TSLL offers a variety of resources and online databases that are accessible remotely after registration. Patrons can research based on a topic or known resources and databases. Also, TSLL accepts requests for research assistance via email, phone, and chat service. 

    TSLL - Self-Help This link directs patrons to self-help materials

    TSLL - Legal Forms This link leads patrons to the most requested forms available for download

    TSLL - Research Guides by Topic This link directs patrons to self-help materials categorized by subject

    TSLL - Legal Clinics This link leads patrons to information about legal clinics in Texas

    TSLL - Digital Collection This link directs patrons to the digital collection of electronic books

    and databases available

    TSLL - Ask a Librarian This link leads patrons to the Ask A Librarian source with information to chat online, call, or send an email request

    TSLL - Catalog This link leads patrons to a sublink with the catalog of the Library’s e-books and web resources

  • Texas Law Help

    Texas Law Help is a website that provides access to various informational brochures, instructions, forms, and toolkits. The site offers a live chat feature to request assistance locating forms and information. Some topics, but not all, covered on the website are: 

    • Divorce
    • Protective Orders
    • Name Change
    • Adult Adoption
    • Non-Disclosure
    • Occupational Driver’s License
    • Transfer on Death Deed Forms
    • Visitation Enforcement
    • Expunction
    • Suits Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship (Asking for custody, visitation, child support, or medical support)
    • Modification – Changing a family court order regarding the parent-child relationship (custody, visitation, child support, or medical support)
  • Texas Attorney General

    The Texas Attorney General provides information, procedures, and forms for the office's duties. The Texas Attorney General is responsible for enforcing child support orders, open government laws, legal advice to state officials, and representing the state of Texas in court. The Texas Attorney General protects Texans against consumer fraud, waste, and abuse and safeguards the freedoms of Texans as guaranteed by the United States and Texas Constitutions. 

  • Texas Attorney General - Child Support

    Texas Attorney General - Child Support Division is Texas's official public child support agency. The web link provides information on applying, paying, receiving, and modifying child support. 

  • Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Resources for the General Public

    Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) Resources for the General Public is a website with informational content on various legal topics. TYLA is a State Bar of Texas department for lawyers under 36 who create and publish various pamphlets, videos, and other materials addressing legal topics for the general public. The publications discuss guardianship, divorce, probate, child protective services, domestic abuse, alcohol poisoning, education, jurors, elder care, and more.

  • Hays County Clerk Webpage

    Hays County Clerk's office includes three divisions, Records, Courts, and Commissioners Court, led by the elected County Clerk. The County Clerk’s office provides several services for Hays County residents. The department maintains official public records, Commissioner’s Court archives, property deed recordings, liens, marriage licenses, birth and death certificates, beer and wine license applications, Business D.B.A. or business as’ records, Military discharges, and Marks and Brands. The Court's division of the County Clerk department maintains criminal misdemeanor, civil, probate, and guardianship cases. The Court’s division functions include accepting criminal payments, original wills for filing (for probate or safekeeping), Letters of Testamentary, Administration, Guardianship, and issuing citations. 

  • Texas Court Help

    Texas Court Help provides information and videos about navigating the Texas court system, legal procedures, finding an attorney, legal assistance, and forms. 

  • Texas Justice Court Training Center

    The Texas Justice Court Training Center, a legal department from Texas State University, offers criminal and civil forms for judges, court personnel, constables, deputy constables, and self-represented litigants. A limited number of Spanish forms are also available. 

  • Texas Judicial Branch

    Texas Judicial Branch provides comprehensive information about the Texas Judicial Branch, including the State’s court system and judicial agencies. The website includes information about Texas courts, the various levels and jurisdictions, rules, forms, organizations, publications, training, programs, services, and judicial data. The Texas Judicial Branch Rules and Forms page includes forms and information covering a range of subjects, including civil and criminal matters, family, probate, wills, and guardianship. Their information may also address clerks, appellants, jurors, and self-represented litigants.

  • Texas Health and Human Services Commission - Advanced Directives

    Texas Health and Human Services Commission—Advanced Directives provides legal documents allowing medical decisions regarding mental health treatment, medical treatment, and end-of-life decisions. 

  • State Bar of Texas

    State Bar of Texas provides several resources for the public, including finding an attorney, informational pamphlets, sample forms, and information to file ethical or other complaints against an attorney. 

  • State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section

    The State Bar of Texas Juvenile Law Section focuses on matters related to Juvenile law. Resources available on the site include newsletters, case summaries, an article library, and specialization credit. Sample forms are available for download but should be reviewed by an attorney for accurate completion. 

  • Texas Advocacy Project

    The Texas Advocacy Project assists the public and survivors of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking in Texas with free legal services, access to the justice system, education, and prevention. The public can apply online or call 1-800-374 HOPE (4673). Phone lines are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site includes downloadable forms for filing a Protective Order.


Statutes, Laws, Codes and Rules
  • Texas Constitution, Statutes, Laws, Codes and Rules

    Texas Constitutions from 1824 to 1876 The University of Texas Tarlton Law Library provides digital images of eight Texas Constitution versions.

    Texas Legislature Online (TLO) provides access to view the status of legislation and provides the ability to search bill text, amendment text, and bill information. 

    General and Special Laws of Texas are the bills passed into law by the Texas Legislature. The General and Special Laws of Texas or “Session Laws.” The webpage links the session laws from the 1st Legislature to the most recent legislative session.

    Texas Administrative Code (TAC) weblink contains links to current and previous code versions. TAC is a compilation of 17 titles detailing all state agency rules in Texas. 

    Texas Constitution and Statutes website contains the current Texas Constitution and written laws established by the state legislature. The statutes provided in the link are current through the 88th 4th Called Legislative Session, 2023. The Texas Constitution is current through the amendments approved by voters in May 2022. The Statutes included on this website are the following:

    § Agriculture Code 

    § Alcoholic Beverage Code

    § Auxiliary Water Laws

    § Business and Commerce Code

    § Business Organizations Code

    § Civil Practice and Remedies Code

    § Code of Criminal Procedure

    § Education Code

    § Election Code

    § Estates Code

    § Family Code

    § Finance Code

    § Government Code

    § Health and Safety Code

    § Human Resources Code

    § Insurance Code

    § Insurance Code - Not Codified

    § Labor Code

    § Local Government Code

    § Natural Resources Code

    § Occupations Code

    § Parks and Wildlife Code

    § Penal Code

    § Probate Code

    § Property Code

    § Special District Local Law Code

    § Tax Code

    § Transportation Code

    § Utilities Code

    § Water Code

    § Vernon’s Civil Statutes

    Texas Register is a weekly journal publishing information from rulemaking State agencies. The Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn, and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as proposal requests. After adoption, the rulemaking actions are arranged into the Texas Administrative Code.

  • United States Constitution, Statutes, Laws, Codes and Rules

    National Archives - United States Founding Documents provides copies of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. The site has an electronic version of the original documents and a text transcript. 

    Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) provides the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government. The CFR consists of 50 broad subject areas. 

    Congress.gov provides U.S. federal legislative information, including bill text, committee reports, votes, bill process, and the Congressional Record. The Congressional Record is a daily record of the debates and proceedings of the U.S. Congress.

    United States Code provides the general and permanent laws of the United States, arranged by subject matter under 54 broad titles. 

    Federal Register is the daily journal of the Federal Government published by the Office of the Federal Register and the National Archives and Records Administration. The Federal Register contains federal agency regulations, proposed rules, notices of interest to the public, executive orders, proclamations, and other Presidential documents.

  • City Municipal Codes or Ordinances

Records Search

Other - About Government Sites
  • Other Informative Links

    Texas.gov provides access to Texas resources, including, but not limited to, general interest topics, government agencies, public access to government information, and special collections such as Texas maps and photographs. 

    Texas Counties Deliver provides a video library that explains the function of County government, elected officials, and county departments and details the essential services delivered to Texans. 


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