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Resources
: Casemaker : Help
First
Time User
If this is your first time logging into Casemaker, your password
is the one that was sent to you in the mail. Please enter your attorney
number in the "Attorney Number:" box. Now enter your password in
the "Password:" box. Finally, click the "Click to Login" button
with your mouse, and you will be logged in to the Casemaker library.
Passwords
Why do you need a password? Your password ensures that any personal
information you've given us remains private. It also prevents other
people from changing your information in our database. No one else
knows your password so we can use it to confirm your identity and
take care of your requests.
The first
time you login to Casemaker, your password will be the one that
was mailed to you. After you first login, you will be given the
opportunity to select a new password which is what you will use
to login to the web site from then on. You can lookup your password
by entering your e-mail address at the bottom of the login page.
If you do not have e-mail, contact Sam Clinch at (402) 475-7091
or 1-800-927-0117 or sclinch@nebar.com
FAQ's
Q: What
does the Casemaker Web Library do?
A: Casemaker Web Library allows you to search and browse a variety
of legal information such as codes, rules and case law through the
internet.
Q: Is
the Casemaker Web Library free?
A: Use of the Casemaker Web Library is free to all Association members.
Q: How
do I get around the fact that some codes and rules are not annotated?
A: With the full text searching capability of the Casemaker Web
Library you no longer have to rely on annotations to find out which
cases are cited because when you insert a statute into the basic
search screen and hit search, you will retrieve the full text of
all cases that discuss the code in question. Then you can
make your own decision of relevance without relying on the summary
of someone who might not even be a law student or lawyer.
Q: Can
you use the Casemaker Web Library as a citator?
A: By entering the case or statute, all the cases or statutes requested
will be pulled up. You want to first check in the Supreme
Court Library to see if it is mentioned and modified in any way.
If it has been, you do not have to look further because the decision
is binding in all lower courts. Regardless, you can read the
decision yourself to find out if it would be pertinent to your case.
Q: What
is the minimum number of characters that can be entered as a search
term?
A: You must enter at least 2 characters for every search term.
The search engine will return an error if you enter one character
by itself.
Q: How
does the search engine decide the rank of a document?
A: The ranking algorithm takes into consideration relative word
ordering, word proximity, database frequency, document frequency,
and position in text.
Q: How
can I narrow down my search? It is returning too many results?
A: If you are getting too many search results, try:
- Adding
some more words to your query.
- Using
the exclusion operator (-) to ensure documents retuned don't include
unwanted terms.
- If
you are searching for a phrase enter it as such (i.e. "bill
of sale").
- Changing
the Word Forms control to Exact.
- Decreasing
the range of the Proximity control (i.e. within 500 characters).
Q: I'm
having trouble getting too few results from my searches.
A: If you are getting too few search results, try:
- Reducing
the number of words in your query.
- Checking
your spelling.
- Increasing
the scope of the proximity control.
- Are
you searching the correct book?
Casemaker
Navigation Bar
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Sends
you back to the Casemaker Web Library home page.
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Library
Contents sends you to the list of all library commands.
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Formats
the current case or code section for printing, taking out
all of the Casemaker navigation buttons.
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Formats
the hierarchical list of documents, taking out all of the
Casemaker navigation buttons.
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Formats
the current list of search results for printing, taking out
all of the Casemaker navigation buttons. This will print only
the current page of results you are viewing.
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Takes
you to a section that provides tips and commonly asked questions
about the Casemaker Web Library.
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Places
you in browse mode. This mode allows you to scroll through
a particular book.
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Places
you in search mode allowing you to use the basic or advanced
search functions.
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Clears
all previous searches and allows you to begin a new search
within the previously selected book.
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Allows
you to modify an existing search within a selected book. (Ideal
when the original search brings up too many results.)
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Brings
you back to your search results.
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Allows
you to move backwards to the previous search result.
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Allows
you to move forward to the next search result.
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Returns
you to the hierarchical view of documents allowing you to
quickly navigate to other sections of the book.
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Allows
you to move backwards to the previous document.
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Allows
you to move forward to the next document.
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Library
Contents
The library
contents screen is your starting point for conducting legal research
using the Casemaker Web Library. Each of the library contents should
be considered a book in the Casemaker Web Library. Users can search
only one book at a time. To begin your research click on the search
or browse button next to the book of your choice.
At the
bottom of the contents page is a link to currencies of the individual
libraries. Always check this page to determine the dates of the
last updates and any state-specific search instructions.
The browsing
function allows you to scroll through the contents of a book manually.
This function is ideal when reviewing particular areas of the codes
or rules.
To browse
a particular book, simply click on the browse button next to the
library book found on the library contents page. From this
point you can navigate through the contents of that book.
Basic
Search
The basic
search allows you to find a code section or case that best relates
to the issues you are researching using the library's search syntax.
Simply type in your key words and connect the key words using the
search syntax to form your search string.
The example
above shows a search string developed by someone trying to find
cases that involve the damages next of kin can collect in a wrongful
death claim.
For a
complete listing of the connectors available on the Casemaker Web
Library, click below
Advanced
Search
The advanced
search template allows you to search for documents when you already
know specific data. For instance, if you have the citation 238 Neb.
354 you can insert it into the citation field and go directly to
that exact cite.
Using
the advanced search template also allows you to narrow your search
by utilizing multiple fields. For instance, if you know a case took
place in 1997, in a particular judge's courtroom, you insert that
information and your key terms and you will have narrowed your search
significantly.
Now lets
discuss the individual fields and their use:
Full
Document Search Query:
This
box or field is the same as the one displayed on the basic search
template.
Cite:
This field also has radio buttons associated with it. The
buttons are the Official Cite, case name and in some cases a West
Reporter Cite. The Cite field has different requirements depending
on which radio button is selected.
Official
Cite:
The Cite must be entered exactly as it is shown in the library documents.
Example: 238 Neb. 354
Case
Name:
This can be any of the terms from the case name. It does not have
to be exact although exact will cut down on the number of results
found.
Example: If case is Williams v. Monarch Transp
then enter: Williams Monarch
Northwestern
Cite:
The Cite must be entered exactly as it is shown in the library documents.
Example: 470 N.W.2d 751 not 470 N.W. 2d 751(no space after
N.W.)
The
following fields can use any of the normal search logic outlined
in the "Search Logic and Syntax" section of the help files.
It is not necessary to enter an exact match. Each data set contains
it's own term fields.
Original
Case:
The court’s docket or case number as opposed to the official cite.
Example: 88-1074
Syllabus:
Outline of the case holding, if available.
Example: wrongful death damages
Court:
Example: Sarpy County
Attorney:
Attorneys for the appellant and the appellee.
Example:dunn coffey
Judge:
Presiding or authoring judge.
Example: shanahan
Judges:
Other concurring or dissenting judges.
Example: colwell
ALL
BOOKS
Dates:
Must be entered in mm/dd/yyyy format (i.e. 12/12/1996)
To do greater than a date only enter the date in the "From" field.
To do less than a date only enter the date in the "To" field.
Word
Forms:
Exact match (check only the exact words as typed), Prefix and Suffix
Expansion (check limited alternative word forms) and any word forms
(check words using the search engine's vocabulary of word and phrase
associations). These options vary from book to book, and may not
be available in every book.
You may
also use an asterisk (*) as a wildcard suffix root expander by placing
the * at the end of your search term without a space (i.e. invite*).
Proximity:
Gives you control over the region that the word matches must be
found.
Word – Limit of 2 words.
Within 500 char - matches must be within 500 characters of
each other.
Within 1000 char - matches must be within 1000 characters
of each other.
Sentence - matches must be in the same sentence.
Document - matches must be in the same document - this is
the default.
Result
Order:
Controls the sort order of the results. Varies from book to book.
In case law it allows you to select most recent or oldest to appear
first in the order of results.
Search
Results
Once
your search has been conducted, the search results screen will appear.
This screen will list the total number of documents found, the effective
date or decision date, as well as the individual rank of the result.
The results
are typically limited to 100 and will be displayed 10 at a time.
It is possible to navigate to the next page of results or directly
to a specific page of results by clicking on the hyperlinks at the
bottom of the search results page.
The "revise
search" button is available at the top of the search results
page to allow a refinement of the currently selected search criteria.
The "new search" button is also available at the top of
the search results page to allow you a quick way to begin a totally
new search of your currently selected book.
 
To access
one of your results, simply click on the hypertext link portion
of the result.
Viewing
Documents
Once
you have browsed down to the document level in a book you can click
on the hypertext links for each document to access it. Once you
click on the link and are viewing the document you are presented
with new navigation buttons. These navigation buttons facilitate
your moving through the documents contained in the book. These buttons
can keep you from having to click your back button on your browser
to navigate.
You will
find three new buttons:
1. 
2. 
3. 
After
you have reviewed a document and wish to go back to the list of
documents screen, simply click the "back to docs list"
button. This will always take you one level up in the book that
you are browsing. To get to the next or previous document in the
book that you are browsing, simply click the appropriate button
on the navigation bar at the top ("previous doc" or "next
doc").
Viewing
Documents Searched
Once
you have clicked on a document link from the search results page
you will be taken to the document itself. Matching terms from your
search will be highlighted in red. The document may also include
hyperlinks to other documents in the Casemaker Web Library. The
top navigation bar will indicate which document of your search results
you are currently viewing (i.e. Result: 5 or 100).
While
viewing a document from your search results the top navigation bar
will have some additional buttons. These buttons will allow you
to easily find your way through the returned documents.
Two buttons,
"next result" and "previous result" are available
to move you from document to document in your search results without
returning to the search result screen.
 
The "revise
search" button is offered to allow you to revise your search
criteria. You will be returned to the search template with your
current criteria already entered and selected.
The "new
search" button is also available at the top of the search results
page to allow you a quick way to begin a totally new search of your
currently selected book.
The "back
to results" button will return you to the list of results that
includes the current document you are viewing. From there you can
choose the next document to view or other navigational options.
Note:
There are also two additional buttons on the navigation bar. These
are the "browse mode" and "search mode" buttons.
These buttons are very important because they indicate which mode
you are currently engaged in and they work as a toggle switch. By
pressing either one you switch back and forth between browse and
search mode.
 
An example
of the use of the "browse mode" and "search mode"
buttons: If you click on a hyperlink in the document that you are
currently viewing you will be taken to the hyperlinked document
and you will be moved from search mode to browse mode. Once in this
mode you are no longer browsing your search results but browsing
the documents as they are laid out in the books. To return to your
current search you must click the "search mode" button.
You must then click one of the following navigation buttons to return
to a document that was considered a match for your current search
criteria, "next result" or "previous result".
Printing
Documents
Simply
click on the Print Doc icon and the document you are viewing
will automatically be formatted for printing. All Casemaker navigation
buttons and Web browser graphics will be removed so you have a clean
document.
Once
your document is formatted, use your Web browser print icon to print
your document. After printing click the Back button on your browser
to get back to the document and the navigation bar.
Search
Logic and Syntax
The Casemaker
Web Library search engine uses set logic for queries. Set logic
is easier to use and provides more abilities than Boolean searching.
See the examples provided below to understand how to do Boolean
type searches using set logic.
The Casemaker
Web Library search engine will filter out common "Noise"
words. "Noise" words include such words as (“and”, “or”,
“the”) and these words will be filtered out of your search query.
Because of this the keywords and and or should not
be used for logical and (include both of the words) and logical
or (include either of the words) search operations. Words
entered in the query box should be actual search terms you wish
to find in the text of the document not operators. Please see examples
below for how to use the set logic to specify searches.
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If
you type. . .
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The
Casemaker Web Library will find documents that. . .
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(hit,
run)
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include
either of the words hit or run
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hit
run
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include
both of the words hit and run
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hit
-run
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include
the word hit but not run
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"hit
and run"
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include
the exact phrase hit and run. It will not find
the phrase run and hit
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Finding
all the words (Equivalent to an AND)
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Enter
the words into the box separated with a space.
Example: To find any documents with the words proximate
and cause, enter: proximate cause
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Finding
several words (Equivalent to an OR)
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Enter
the words into the box in parenthesis, separating the words
with a comma.
Example: To find anything related to proximateor
cause, enter: (proximate, cause)
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Finding
words (or phrases) exactly as specified in a specific order
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Use
quotation marks (“) to find words exactly as specified in
the same order. Phrase searches should not be used unless
intended to get the exact text as it can result in miss-hits
(i.e. “proximate cause”).
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Invoking
Thesaurus Expansion
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To
expand the meaning of a word or phrase within your query,
precede it with a '~' (tilde) character. The search engine
has a vocabulary of word and phrase associations.
Example: To find documents that relate to alcohol
and specifically include the word auto, enter: ~alcohol auto
This will return documents that include the words liquor
and auto or alcohol and auto
among others.
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-(minus
symbol) - Exclude Words
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Use
- (minus symbol) to exclude any word you do not want to include.
Example: To find a documents about hit and run but
not involving death, enter: hit run –death
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*
(asterisk symbol) - Prefix-Suffix Expander
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This
feature can be invoked to include prefixes and/or suffixes
for root words. Using an asterisk (*) following the root word
will also act as a wildcard and will pick up plurals and other
suffixes. Example: invite* will find invite,
invites, invitee, etc.
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Narrowing
Your Search
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Search
terms must be three characters or greater in length.
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The
Reported Number of Items Found is Just an Estimate
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The
result of any search includes an estimated number of items
found for the search and the search pages are generated corresponding
to this number. In most cases this is equal to the actual
number of items. However, in some rare cases (depending on
the query) this estimated number and the corresponding pages
generated might be different from the actual number.
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Sorting
Your Results
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On
the advanced search menu you can use the sort menu to order
the document results various ways (i.e. oldest or newest case
first).
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