TEXAS LEGAL RESEARCH
A Central Library Research Guide
Primary Sources
State law governs such matters as contracts, criminal law, family law, wills, landlord-tenant relations, and probate. The Texas legislature creates statutes when it passes laws. Once a bill is passed, it will be added to the statutory law which can be found in Vernon's Civil Statutes or in one of Vernon's Texas Codes. Once the law is made, it is administered by various state agencies. The Texas State Legislature has the statutes and regulations online.
Statutes
Vernon's Texas Codes Annotated
Texas statutes (or laws) are codified and annotated in Vernon's Codes Annotated. A General Index can be found at the end the set, or each title has its own index. Always check the pocket parts in the back of the volume to see if the statute has been amended or appealed. Sometimes there will be a separate pamphlet with new legislation that is next to the hardcover volume.
R 348.764 TeV
Vernon's Civil Statutes Annotated
The Civil Statutes are currently being revised or "codified" into codes, such as the Government Code, or the Education Code. The statutory revision program began in the early 1960s, and is still in progress.
R 348.764 TeV CS
Vernon's Texas Rules Annotated
Texas Rules contains the rules of civil procedure, the rules of appellate procedure, and the rules of civil and criminal evidence.
R 348.764 Te
Regulations
Texas administrative agencies write regulations which individuals and organizations affected by the law must follow.
Texas Administrative Code
Texas regulations are organized into Titles and Parts (individual state agencies)
R 347.640825 Of
Texas Register
The Texas Register serves as the notice bulletin of state agency rulemaking. The Texas Register is produced in HTML and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file format. The current issue is available each Friday no later than 5 p.m.
Case Law
A third important source for legal information is from the court system. Courts create law when a judge issues an opinion. Most written opinions come from the appellate (appeal) courts. The Texas State Library provides on-site customers access to Texas case law materials through Westlaw. Texas Judiciary Online has recent opinions form the Texas appellate courts.
Secondary Sources
Legal Encyclopedias
Legal Encyclopedias contain detailed discussions of every aspect of law. Discussions are footnoted with references to statutes and cases. They are arranged A to Z.
Texas Jurisprudence
R 348.764 Te
Forms
Form books provide forms that you can copy and use as written, or forms that can be used as samples. Often text and commentary are included with the form that will help you understand the legal requirements. Some web sites have forms. Stevenson's online version has the official forms.
| Form books covering all subjects: |
| West's Texas Forms | R 347.764055 El |
| Texas Legal Forms (Gale) | Online Database |
| Business Law Forms: |
| The Complete Guide to Mechanic's and Materialman's Lien Laws of Texas |
R 346.764024 St |
| How to Form Your Own Texas Corporation | R 346.7640668 Ma |
| How to Start a Business in Texas | R 346.764065 Br |
| Secretary of State of Texas (business organization forms) | |
| Texas Foreclosure Law and Practice | R 346.7640436 Ba |
| Texas Limited Liability Company | R 346.7640668 Bo |
| Criminal Law and Forms: |
| Kineade & Mcolloch's Texas Penal Code Annotated |
R 345.764005 Ki |
| Texas Criminal Defense Forms Annotated | R 345.05044 Du |
| Texas Criminal Law and Motor Vehicle Handbook | R 345.7640247 Te |
| Employment Law and Forms: |
| Carlson's Texas Employment Laws Annotated | R 344.76401 Ca |
| Texas Worker's Compensation Manual |
R 344.764021 Te |
| Family Law and Forms: |
| Texas Law Help |
|
| Handbook of Texas Family Law | R 346.7645015 Ha |
| How to Do Your Own Divorce in Texas | R 346.7640166 Sh |
| How to Make a Texas Will | R 346.764054 Ro |
| Simple Law Texas Name Change | R 346.01 Si |
| Texas Probate System |
R 346.764052 Te |
| Travis County Law Library Forms |
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| Real Estate Law and Forms: |
| Texas Forms Manual | R 348.7640438 Te |
| Texas Residential Landlord - Tenant Law | R 346.7640434 Te |
| Texas Real Estate Contracts |
R 346.764043 Ta |
| Court and Trial Law and Forms: |
| Cooper Hensley and Marshall's Texas Rules of Civil Procedure |
R 347.051 Co |
| Handbook on Texas Discovery Practice | R 347.072 Al |
| How to Win in Small Claims Court in Texas | R 347.76404 Br |
| O'Connor's Texas Civil Forms | R 347.764055 Oc |
| O'Connor's Texas Rules: Civil Trials | R 347.764051 Oc |
| O'Connor's Texas Civil Appeals | R 347.764055 Oc |
| Texas Criminal Defense Forms | R 345.05044 Du |
| Texas Rules of Court - Local, State, Federal Rules | R 347.764051 Te |
Return to Research Guide Index
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