Laws made by a government, such as the Constitution and laws passed by Congress and the state legislature. Also includes decisions by courts that interpret those laws. You can search by keyword or browse by subject, opinion number or relevant statute. The site offers access to New York laws from 1996 on and to legislative bill jackets. It is the only library in our region with access to this resource.
cite: 1. A court order or summons telling someone to go to court on a certain date and tell them what the charges are against them. 2. A way to reference a case in a legal argument, like quoting from its decision. Lawyers often refer to past cases in their arguments in the hopes that those cases will help prove their point.
consolidation of actions: When at least two cases that involve the same issues of law are put together and become one case so that a single judgment will cover all of them. See also joinder.
conviction: When a person admits in court that they did something wrong. This is usually after they are charged with a crime in an information or indictment.
custody: 1. Legal control of a child or thing. 2. The day-to-day care of a child under the age of 18. See also child custody.
domicile: A place of residence, like New York.
CPLR: Civil Practice Law and Rules, New York state law that gives procedures for civil cases.