Wisconsin State Law Library

One question we're frequently asked is where to find Wisconsin Jury Instructions online. As of this blog post, they're available through Fastcase.

Anyone can use Fastcase at our three libraries to access current and some prior Wisconsin Jury Instructions online. Jury instructions are keyword searchable and browsable. If you haven't used Fastcase to access a treatise-like collection before, a librarian can help get you started.

We recently added a new book on using Fastcase to our collection. Fastcase: the definitive guide includes tips and step by step instructions for getting the most out of the database with every search.

Contents include:

• The nuts and bolts of searching
• Case research
• Bad law bot : is that case still good law?
• Statutes and other legislative resources
• Regulations and administrative law
• Treatises, law reviews, and other secondary resources

The David T. Prosser Jr. Library, and Dane and Milwaukee County Law Libraries will be closed on Monday, May 28th for Memorial Day. We will respond to questions and requests on Tuesday, May 29th.

To ask a question while we are closed, call us at 608-267-9696 or Ask a Librarian online.

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Researchers trying to locate primary law materials from US colonies all the way to statehood can turn to a single source: HeinOnline's Prestatehood legal materials.

It's easy to use! From the main page of the collection, use the map to navigate to the geographical area (state) you're researching. You'll get an overview of the history and dates pertinent to your research, along with suggested sources for constitutional, judicial, legislative, and executive materials.

Sign into this database with your library card. HeinOnline is available to most cardholders outside of the library, and all visitors to our three libraries can use HeinOnline from a law library computer or wireless network.
Information has been adapted from the book, Prestatehood legal materials: a fifty state research guide, including New York City and the District of Columbia. The print edition is also available digitally from HeinOnline's prestatehood collection.

The author of Wisconsin's entry, Duane Strojny, notes in the conclusion, "A quick phone call to the Wisconsin State Law Library will confirm actual content and the existence or appropriate referral to obtain a copy of documents." Yes! Please call or email us with questions. We're happy to help.

The Judge Doyle Square Project will require a closure of E. Doty St. between MLK Jr. Blvd. and S. Pinckney St. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, May 19, 2018.