State, Federal and Local laws provide the framework within which we live our lives. Marriage, divorce, aging, death, real estate, consumer protection, immigration, business, employment, crime, and taxes are some of the situations in which we find we need legal information.
Whether we are just getting clarification or preparing to consult a lawyer, the following resources are a great first step to tackling the legal questions that most of us encounter. They provide reliable, practical answers to many everyday questions.
The following resources are intended to direct you towards public legal information, or referrals to organizations that can assist you with legal issues and questions. While librarians can help direct you towards this information, they are not licensed or qualified to interpret law or answer specific legal questions.
And don’t forget, you can always contact a Reference Librarian by phone, email, or in person for assistance in using our databases and eBooks.
Indexes / Databases
You can use your UA Library card and PIN to access the following online databases and reference eBooks. Please note: Links to our databases open in a new window or tab in your bowser.
NuWav Legal Documents – Find hundreds of legal forms covering the most popular legal situations. There is even a tool to help fill out many of the forms as well.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties in America – This reference eBook explores civil rights and civil liberties politics in the United States from the ratification of the Bill of Rights to current-day controversies. Includes primary source documents.
Reference Resources
Visit the Research Department in the lower level of the Tremont Branch Library for the following resources.
Nolo Self-Help Legal Guides – Written in plain English, these books are designed to help make the law accessible to everyone. Search the library catalog to see the variety of topics covered by these books, including Divorce, Renter’s Rights, Small Claims Court, Bankruptcy, and much more.
Baldwin’s Ohio Handbook Series – In the Ohio Room of the Research Department, you will find the following books in this series:
- Ohio Condominium Law
- Ohio Consumer Law
- Ohio Driving Under the Influence Law
- Ohio Juvenile Law
- Ohio Landlord Tenant Law
Legal Dictionaries
Legal Handbooks and Guides – Here are a few examples of legal books you will find in the Research Department.
- Legal Research: How to Find & Understand the Law
- The Law & You: A Legal Handbook for Ohio Consumers and Journalists
- Finding the Answers to Legal Questions: A How-To-Do-It Manual
- Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law
- 101 Law Forms for Personal Use
Websites
Local Legal Help
- The Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) – A nonprofit organization that provides free legal assistance and guidance for low income and elderly individuals.
- Columbus Bar Association Services & Programs – CBA offers services and information to the public on finding a lawyer and dealing with attorney disputes.
- Franklin County Law Library – In their resources for the public, discover hundreds of Legal Subject Guides for law information and downloadable Legal Forms.
- Ohio Legal Help – This site offers easy-to-understand and interactive self-help tools to connect Ohioans to legal and community resources.
- Ohio State Bar Association: For Public – Another resource to search for a lawyer, access legal information online, and other legal tools.
- Ohio Crime Victim Justice Center – Dedicated to helping victims of crimes in Ohio, this organization offers free legal representation to those victimized by crime. The Ohio Crime Victims Rights Toolkit allows users to research information about their case, whether generally or more specific, and find out what their rights are, best practices, suggestions, and more involving their case.
- Pro Seniors – Provides legal advice and representation for seniors in Ohio through their Legal Hotline at 1-800-488-6070.
Laws and Codes
Search Starters
Check out what’s available in the library catalog to reserve and check out under these categories:
If you have a specific legal issue you are dealing with, try searching catalog.ualibrary.org for materials that may help. Here are some popular legal topics that are covered: