Keep in mind that state and regional digests in our library with
the exception of the Maryland Digest are updated only through 2006.
Use either the state digest or the appropriate regional digest,
depending on which one the library owns. To identify the digests
and reporters for each state's case law which are available in our
library, consult "State and Regional Case Law Resources."
Start with the most recent series of the digest if the one you
are using has been published in more than one series, e.g., start
with Atlantic Digest Second Series, which will index more
recent cases than Atlantic Digest.
Locate the Descriptive Word Index volumes for the digest set. Look
up research terms to identify potentially relevant topics and key
numbers. Check the pocket part of the Descriptive Word Index volumes
to see if later terms have been added.
Look up the topics and key numbers in the main digest volumes
to find summaries of cases. Digests are organized alphabetically
by topic and, within each topic, chronologically by key number.
In addition to the main volume, references to recent cases may
be in a pocket part in the back of the book or in a separate pamphlet
supplement that covers the particular volume, or in a paper supplement
at the end of the set that updates all topics and key numbers in
that set. It usually makes sense to start with the most recent supplement
and work backwards.
Record the citations of cases that appear to be relevant to your
research situation. Note that the digest may include cases that
are not mandatory authority. For example, regional digests include
cases from other states; state digests include cases from federal
courts.
