PLEASE NOTE: The print series available in the Library are no longer being updated and are for Teaching Purposes Only. For the latest information, see Westlaw.
Legal Reference
KFT 1257 .W47
A digest is an index to case law. It helps you locate cases and provides case citations and summaries of cases discussing particular legal points. Texas Digest is a digest series covering Texas cases.
Digests have two main parts: the Descriptive Word Index and the main volumes. The topics are broken down into key numbers, which narrow broad topics down to very specific points of law.
The Descriptive Word Index is used to locate your topic and give you a key number that you can use to find your topic in the rest of the digest volumes.
To find the Descriptive Words:
Although published by West, the Texas Digest is only available in print. The closest online equivalent is Westlaw's topic and key number system, which lets you click on a key number in Westlaw and takes you to a page with cases related to that key number. For the purposes of this term project, however, you will typically need to use the print series.
One way to find a case citation is to look up case abstracts by topic using a digest series like Texas Digest.
The digest series has two main parts: the Descriptive Word Index and the main volumes with the abstracts. The topics are broken down into key numbers, which narrow broad topics down to very specific points of law.
The Descriptive Word Index is used to locate your topic and give you a key number that you can use to find your topic in the rest of the digest volumes.
Search for your topic or keyword in the Descriptive Word Index volumes, shelved near the end of the series. Words appear in the Index alphabetically. For example, if you are looking for "arson," you would use the Descriptive Word Index A-C volume.
Within the index, use the words at the top corners of the page to find your term.
NOTE: Your term may not always appear in a corner, but it can fall alphabetically between the corner words.
On the page, locate the bold heading.
Under the heading for your topic, you should see a list of the descriptive words for your selected topic.
Write down the descriptive words and key numbers that are relevant to your research.
Go back to the shelves and use the spines of the books to find the volume that includes that the key number that you are looking for.
For example, Arson Key 27
Using the key number, find the heading within the volume. The section will include abstracts and citations for cases on the topic.
Example: Arson key 27 has several cases listed that have citations for South Western Reporter
Since the bound volumes are only as up to date as the date they were printed, it is critical to check for updates. The Texas Digest uses annual supplements to update its content. Most of the time, these appear as pocket parts at the back of the volume. When a pocket part becomes too big to fit in the pocket, it will come as a separate paperback supplement shelved right after the volume.
Turn to the back of the volume to check for a pocket part.
Check the pocket part for your key number to see if any new cases are listed for that topic.
Description:
"List as many descriptive words or phrases as you can that relate to your topic. Copy the page from the descriptive word index of the Texas Digest that relates to the topic you chose."
Only currently registered Lone Star paralegal students can access Westlaw. Current paralegal students will receive an email to their MyLoneStar student email from Thomson Reuters with details on how to activate their personal account. For problems with this, please contact the Paralegal department.