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Resources
: Casemaker : FAQ's
Frequently
Asked NSBA Casemaker Questions
Q.
Casemaker-What Does it Do?
A. Casemaker is a web-based legal research library and search engine
that allows you to search and browse a variety of legal information
such as codes, rules and case law through the Internet. It is an
easily searchable, continually updated database of case law, statutes
and regulations.
Q:
What are the system requirements?
A: We highly suggest running the most recent browser version
of your choice. The minimums would be at least:
Windows: Internet Explorer 6.0 (IE), Any Mozilla/Firefox version
AOL 7.0
Mac: Any browser that can run in OS X is acceptable.
Personal firewall, cookie blockers, pop-up blocker programs can
cause the authentication or certain features of the service to be
blocked if the settings are such that they do not allow third-party
cookies or new windows to be opened. If this is the case, specify
www.lawriter as an "allowed" site.
Q:
Is there an extra cost to use Casemaker beyond my member dues?
A: No, Casemaker is included as a benefit of being an active
member of the NSBA. Inactive members may subscribe for $100 annually.
Q:
Is there a number I can call if I have questions about Casemaker?
A: Yes, call the Nebraska State Bar Association at (800) 927-0117
or (402) 475-7091 and ask for Casemaker assistance during normal
business hours. NSBA business hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Q:
Where can I turn for help if I have questions after business hours?
A: Click on the help button in the upper right-hand portion
of the Casemaker navigation bar. Casemaker online help provides
complete instruction on the use of Casemaker. You can also refer
to the online tutorial or this hard-copy user manual.
Q:
I am having trouble logging on to the site, what could be wrong?
A: -Make sure your Password is correct.
-Make sure you have not misspelled anything.
-Close your browser and open a new browser page and try again.
-If the first three suggestions do not solve your problem, your
computer may not be accepting "cookies," which are little
bits of information saved on your computer that allow you to access
the site. You might need to change your security settings to allow
for cookies or at a minimum allow your browser to accept cookies
from the www.lawriter.net and www.nebar.com web sites.
Q: Is the Revised Code Annotated?
A: No. However, due to Casemaker being a full-text searchable database,
you can annotate the code on the fly. Simply type the code section
you'd like to annotate into the basic search screen and hit search.
Casemaker will search through whatever book you are searching and
pull up every case that contains that code section, annotating the
code on the fly.
Q:
How do I search for an individual case if I have the official citation?
A: Pick the book where the official citation would appear and
click on the search option. Once you are in the search screen, click
on the "Advanced Search" tab. You will see the cite field.
Simply type the exact citation in the cite field and you will pull
up that case.
Q:
Can you use Casemaker as a citator?
A: Yes. Casemaker has a citatory feature called Casecheck, which
automatically pulls up all cases that cite the state case
you are viewing (this feature is not currently available in the
federal library). To access the Casecheck cases, simply click on
the citation. When you are through reviewing the cited case, click
on the Back button of your browser to get back to your
original case.
Q:
How do I search for an individual case if I know the case name?
A: Pick the book where the case would appear and click on the
search option. Once you are at the search screen, click on the "Advanced
Search" tab. You will see the cite field. Take your mouse and
click the radio button directly above the cite field that says,
"case name." By changing to "case name" the
cite field is now expecting you to plug in a case name instead of
an official citation. Simply type in one or both of the parties
names and hit search. You should not put in the
v. or even the full case name, just the most unique portions of
each parties name. And, if one of the parties names is very unique,
only one of the parties names is necessary.
Q:
I am in the Nebraska Library, but cannot find the federal cases,
constitution, code, rules or regulations.
A: Click on your browsers' back arrow to the Library Contents
page. Then click on Federal Library, which is the first
library listed.
Q:
Can I search multiple books at the same time?
A: Currently the Casemaker Web Library doesn't allow you to
search multiple books using built-in search functionality. However,
utilizing tools built in to your Web browser, you can open additional
versions of your Web browser and search different books almost simultaneously.
Once you are in Casemaker, you can press "CTRL" and the
letter "N" (CTRL+N) to quickly open another browser. Doing
this numerous times allows to to open several windows and perform
various searches at the same time (i.e. search statutes and search
case law). You are limited by the memory on your computer.
Q:
How does the search engine decide the rank of search results?
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 my search results? It is returning too many results.
A: There are several things you can do to narrow your search,
including:
-Add additional key words to your search, using the revise search
button.
-If you are searching for a phrase, make sure you are placing the
phrase inside of quotes. (Ex. "next of kin")
-Utilize the tools available to you in the Advanced Search Screen
that allow you to narrow the proximity in which your key words/phrases
appear, utilize the fields in conjunction with key words in the
full document search query or use the date range option.
Q:
I am having trouble getting too few results from my searches - How
can I broaden my search?
A: - Reduce the number of words in your query.
-Check your spelling.
-Increase the scope of the proximity control.
-Make sure you are searching the correct book.
Q:
Why do I keep getting an error message saying "No documents
matching your search query could be found?"
A: There are several reasons you are getting this error message,
including:
-You have developed too narrow of a search. Consider reducing the
number of key words or phrases in your search query.
-You might have misspelled one of the words in the search string,
field entry, etc. Casemaker search logic looks for the exact spelling
of key words.
-Make sure you are searching the correct book.
Q:
Is there a way to save a previous search?
A: No. However you may copy and paste your search into a word
processing document.
Q:
Can I search for terms that appear within a certain number of words
of each other or within the same sentence?
A: Yes. In the advanced search screen there is a field called
"proximity." You can search for words within the same
document (this is the default setting), the same sentence, within
1000 characters, within 500 characters or within 2 words of each
other.
Q:
Can I find a case by its federal cite only?
A:
No. for federal circuit court of appeals cases, you need to know
either the case name or the case number. You will not be able to
pull the case up with the F.3d cite.
Q:
Why does the URL change when I click the Enter Casemaker button?
A: The actual Casemaker Web Library is located on the Lawriter
web site located in Cincinnati. When you access Casemaker you are
transferred from the NSBA web site to the Lawriter site.
Q:
How often are opinions posted?
A: The opinions are posted as follows:
|
Data Set
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Update Schedule
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Case Law
Nebraska Reports Vol. 118 to current
Nebraska Appellates |
updated 48 hours from release
updated 72 hours from release
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| Revised Statutes |
updated 30 days from relase |
| Nebraska Court Rules |
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Attorney General Opinions
1997 to current |
updated annually |
Advisory Opinions
1968 to current |
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| Administrative Rules & Regulations |
updated annually |
Bankruptcy Opinions
01/01/1999 |
updated weekly |
Title Standards
Current to 01/30/04 |
updated monthly |
Jury Instructions
2002 edition |
updated weekly |
Law Reviews
Nebraska Law Reviews
Creighton Law Reviews |
updated 30 days from release |
Vince's Verdicts
Lincoln Bar Association 1993 |
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