The La Crosse County Law Library is operated as a service of the La Crosse Public Library and funded, in part, by the County of La Crosse. The resources are housed in the Reference Department at the Main Library at 800 Main Street. Everyone, from legal professionals, to students, to those defending themselves in court, has access to the resources and is responsible for understanding and interpreting the materials. While library staff will help you navigate the resources, they cannot give legal advice or opinions.

Additional resources: 2 simultaneous log-ins to WestLaw; 40 internet computers; printer (.10); one dedicated law laptop; free, unrestricted wifi access; photocopier; scanner (to email or USB); fee-based fax machine.

Legal Materials in La Crosse County

Print Resources (Funded by La Crosse Public Library unless otherwise noted.)

• Wisconsin Statutes
• Callaghan’s Wisconsin Reports –Current 5 years
• United States Code – 2006 edition
• United States Statutes at Large – most current in Reference collection and older editions are in closed stacks.
• United States Reports – latest five volumes in Reference collection and older editions are in closed stacks.
• Federal Register—Current year + 1 in Reference
• Wisconsin Administrative Code
• Nolo Books –Consumer-oriented titles to check out.
• State of Wisconsin CLE books:
  • Contract Law in Wisconsin
  • Wisconsin Guide to Citation
  • Wisconsin Civil Litigation Codebook
  • New Wisconsin Family Code and related Statutes
  • Wisconsin Real Estate and Real Property Codebook
•  Wisconsin Pleading and Practice (funding provided by La Crosse County)
   

Other commonly requested resources:

• Wisconsin Statutes Annotated - La Crosse Public Library does not own.  You can find it in paper at Western Technical College & UW-L Murphy Library.  It is also available online
• Wisconsin Jury Instructions: Civil, Criminal and Children’s - La Crosse Public Library does not own.  You can find Civil and Criminal Jury Instructions in paper at Western Technical College.  Copies of selected jury instructions may be ordered through the Wisconsin State Law Library. Wisconsin jury instructions are commercially published so you will not find them online for free.
• Wisconsin Judicial Benchbooks (Criminal/Traffic, Civil, Family, Juvenile and Probate - La Crosse Public Library does own them through Wisconsin Books Unbound).
• LEXIS/NEXIS - Available for students at Western Technical College and UW-L Murphy Library.  La Crosse Public Library does not subscribe to this service.
   

Electronic Resources: (funded by La Crosse County)

Preface: Resources with an asterisk (*) after their name are not included in our subscription. If the * is before a title it may have a different meaning.

Wisconsin - Under “Search for database” select “View Westlaw Directory.” This is divided into four main components:

Journals and Law Reviews:

Journals and Law Reviews Pro includes all available law reviews and bar journals excluding ABA and Aspen Law and Business publications. Full coverage for most of these journals does not begin until 1994. Consult the directory to see what law reviews are included (too many to name here).

There are also a number of international law review journals available outside the “Journal and Law Reviews Pro” series.

To search law reviews for a specific jurisdiction such as Wisconsin, you go to My Database >Journals and Law Reviews > Journals & Law Reviews by Jurisdiction > Wisconsin

Included in this directory are:

• Wisconsin Journals and Law Reviews (mega search):
• Journal of Law in Society, (full coverage begins with 2001 (vol. 2)
• Marquette Elder’s Advisor (full coverage begins with 2003 (vol. 5)
• Marquette Intellectual Property Law Review (full coverage begins with 1997, vol. 1)
• Marquette Law Review (full coverage begins with 1992 (vol. 76)
• Marquette Sports Law Review (full coverage begins with 1993 (vol. 4)
• Sports Lawyers Journal (full coverage begins with 1994)
• Wisconsin Environmental Law Journal (full coverage begins with 1994 and ends with 2002)
• Wisconsin International Law Journal (full coverage begins with 1995)
• Wisconsin Journal of Law, Gender and Society (full coverage begins with 1995)
• Wisconsin Law Review (selected coverage begins with 1981 and full coverage begins with 1985)
• Wisconsin Lawyer (selected coverage begins with 1983)

You can also narrow your search by looking at the directory of “Journals & Law Reviews by Title” if you want to find something very specific or to find out what the coverage is available on Westlaw. Other databases that are included are International U.S. Database and World JLR.

Wisconsin Analytical Library

Wisconsin Forms – Full text of Wisconsin Civil Practice Forms, Wisconsin Legal Forms, and Wisconsin Pleading and Practice Forms. Coverage varies by source.

Within this category, forms are also broken down by subject:

• Business & Commercial
• Construction Law
• Elder Law
• Estate Planning and Probate
• Real Property

You will also find the Pleading and Practice forms within this folder. Pleading and Practice is an authoritative source covering WI civil practice from summons to final appeal, including a comprehensive collection of court-tested forms and practice pointers. You can also search Pleading and Practice independently from the consolidated folder. Construction Law, Family Law and Worker’s compensation all have individual folders to search.

In addition to the services above, you will also have access to the Wisconsin Practice series – It is written by local experts and has a practical and informative survey of core legal topics in Wisconsin civil and criminal practice.

Wisconsin PRO Plan databases includes sections on case law, statutes, court rules and orders, administrative code (2002-2010), attorney general opinions (begins 1977), Wisconsin insurance materials, and Wisconsin texts and periodicals.

WeslawPRO Primary Law Library— this area covers Federal materials, such as Supreme Court Justice databases, cases and judicial materials.

Wisconsin Books Unbound (funded by La Crosse Public Library) (In-house use only)

A subscription based online library of State Bar of Wisconsin CLE books (the "brown binders").  Ask at the reference desk to use.

Included in the subscription are the following titles:

• A Guide for Wisconsin Nonprofit Organizations
• Advising Older Clients and Their Families (Vol 1 & 2)
• Alcohol Beverages Regulation in Wisconsin
• Annual Survey of Wisconsin Law
• Appellate Practice and Procedure in Wisconsin (includes forms)
• Arbitration & Mediation of Business Disputes (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 10)
• Business Litigation (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 6)
• Business Organizations (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 7)
• Civil Procedure before Trial
• Collections and Bankruptcy (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 4)
• Commercial and Consumer Transactions (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 3)
• Commercial Real Estate Transactions in Wisconsin (includes forms)
• Condemnation Law and Practice in Wisconsin
• Condominium Documents, Drafter's Guide to (includes forms)
• Contract Law in WI
• Critical Terms in Criminal Proceedings in Spanish & English
• Damages, Law of (Vols. 1-3)
• Discovery Law and Practice
• Easements, Law of (includes forms)
• Eckhardt's Workbook for Wisconsin Estate Planners (includes forms)
• Employment Discrimination Law, A Guide to
• Employment Law
• Employment Law (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 8)
• Environmental and Real Estate (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 2)
• Fair Dealership Law
• Family Law Casenotes and Quotes
• General Business Issues (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 9)
• Guardian ad Litem Handbook (includes forms)
• Hiring and Firing in Wisconsin
• Insurance Law
• Intellectural Property Law (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 5)
• LLCs and LLPs:  A Wisconsin Handbook (includes forms)
• Marital Property Law in Wisconsin
• Organizing a Wisconsin Buiness Corporation (includes forms)
• Real Estate Transactions System
• Securities, Mergersm and Acquisitions (Wisconsin Business Advisor Series:  Vol. 1)
• Seventh Circuit, Attorneys Guide to the
• System Book for Family Law
• The Marital Property Classification Handbook
• The Wisconsin Public Records and Open Meetings Handbook
• The Wisconsin Rules of Evidence:  A Courtroom Handbook
• Traffic Law and Practice
• Trial Practice
• Voluntary Termination of Parental Rights and Adoption
• Wages and Hours Handbook
• WI Judicial Benchbook Vol 1:  Criminal/Traffic
• WI Judicial Benchbook Vol 2:  Civil
• WI Judicial Benchbook Vol. 3:  Family
• WI Judicial Benchbook Vol. 4:  Juvenile
• WI Judicial Benchbook Vol. 5:  Probate
• Wisconsin Attorney's Desk Reference
• Wiconsin Civil Litigation Forms Manual (includes forms)
• Wisconsin Condominium Law Handbook
• Wisconsin Construction Lien Law Handbook (includes forms)
• Wisconsin Criminal Defense Manual (includes forms)
• Wisconsin Ethics Opinions
• Wisconsin Juvenile Law Handbook (includes forms)
• Wisconsin Probate System Forms and Procedures Handbook (includes forms)
• Worker's Compensation Handbook

Internet Resources:

Local:

City of La Crosse Municipal Code—Rules and regulations for residents of the City of La Crosse.

La Crosse County Code of Ordinances—Rules and regulations for the County of La Crosse.

La Crosse County Clerk of Courts—Offers La Crosse County residents information regarding circuit court rules and information, court officials, jury service, small claims, and traffic citations.

Wisconsin:

LegalExplorer—LegalExplorer is maintained by the Wisconsin State Bar Association, and its mission is to educate citizens about the Wisconsin legal system. It includes sections where you can find a lawyer, ask a legal question, and find informational pamphlets on specific legal topics.

Wisconsin Statutes—Electronic version of the general statutes of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Adminstrative Code - Electronic version of the Adminstrative Code of Wisconsin

Wisconsin State Law Library—The Wisconsin Law Library has gathered resources on statutory, administrative and case law for federal, state and tribal jurisdictions.

Federal:
 

Judicial Branch:

U.S. Supreme Court—This site gives current court opinions and details on how the court works. If you need past court opinions see Findlaw. Findlaw contains opinions from 1893 to current.

Federal Courts Opinions—The Cornell University Law School maintains an opinion directory to the U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts, and the U.S. Courts of Special Jurisdiction.

Legislative Branch:

Thomas—On Thomas you can find bills, resolutions, public laws, House/Senate roll call votes, activity in Congress, the Congressional Record, committee reports, and treaties.

United States Code—The United States Code contains the general and permanent laws of the United States divided by subject matter.

Executive Branch:
Code of Federal Regulations—The CFR is the codification of the general and permanent rules published in the Federal Register by the executive departments and agencies of the federal government.

Federal Register—The Federal Register is the official daily publication for rules, proposed rules, and notices of Federal agencies and organizations, as well as executive orders and other presidential documents.

Executive Orders—Official documents through which the President of the United States manages the operations of the federal government.

Legal Forms:

Wisconsin Real Estate Form—Forms for "Residential Offer to Purchase," "Counter-Offer," "Amendment to offer to Purchase," etc.

Wisconsin Circuit Court Forms—Standard, statewide forms are for all Wisconsin circuit courts for civil, criminal, family, guardianship, probate and small claims cases.

Wisconsin Pro Se Divorce/Legal Separation Filing—Pro se divorce or legal separation forms and guidance.

Wisconsin State Law Library—Legal & Government Forms -The Wisconsin State Law library provides a one-stop resource for locating legal forms in the State of Wisconsin.

Organizations/Contacts:

Legal Action of Wisconsin, 608-785-2809.  Legal Action of Wisconsin handles only civil law for low-income people.  For example:

• Family Law - Divorces, custody & placement disputes
• Consumer Law - Bankruptcy, collections, Fair Debt Collection Pratices Act
• Housing Law - Eviction, denial or termination of public housing benefits, security deposits, foreclosures
• Public Benefits - Unemployment insurance, disability benefits & supplement security income (SSI) , W-2, food stamps, Kinship Care, Medicaid, Badger Care and Engery Assistance.

Wisconsin State Law Library, 1-800-322-9755

Law Information Center – located on the second floor of the La Crosse County Courthouse; free guidance from volunteer attorneys, retirees and paralegal students for La Crosse County residents who want to represent themselves in court; call 608-785-5886 for information and hours. Sponsored by the La Crosse Bar Association.

Family Law Information Center, La Crosse County Courthouse, 333 Vine St., First Floor, 608-785-5886. Volunteer attorneys are available every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:45 to 1 p.m.; every other Monday from 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. They will answer questions about court forms, family court procedures, and make referrals to community resources.

Free Legal Advice Clinics: Free legal advice for low-income people will be provided by La Crosse attorneys from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month, at First Baptist Church, 1209 Main St. Sponsored by the La Crosse County Bar Association.