How do I search Westlaw?

• You can access Westlaw directly or through the law section of the Database List.  If you're off-campus, you will be prompted to login with your myPVCC username and password.
• When searching Westlaw, keep in mind it is not for background information. If you need background information, use a different database, such as Gale eBooks.
• The first screen you will see when you access Westlaw is below.

1. This is the search box. You can run a simple search by entering terms, or you can click on "Advanced" (located to the right of the search box) to run a guided Boolean search.

2. This is the database you're searching. Westlaw defaults to All Federal. Click on "All Federal" to change your search to something else.

3. These are the different information areas and databases you can search. Click on the different tabs to see what's there. Clicking on these links(for example, Statutes & Court Rules) will search that specific database.

• To run a simple search, enter a term and click the search icon (magnifying glass). 

• To run a phrase search, put the phrase in quotation marks ("res ipsa loquitur")

Remember that the system defaults to "All Federal," so change this if you're searching a specific database.

Use Boolean operators for a more targeted search.

• AND (&) -- To run an AND search with Westlaw, put an ampersand (&) between terms.
  • narcotics & warrant

• OR (space) - To run an OR search with Westlaw, put a space between synonyms.
  • lawyer attorney counsel

You can search Westlaw using case or journal article citations. The citations need to be in the Bluebook style.

Example: Case citation

Example: Law journal article citation

Westlaw's KeyCite is a citator, that is, a tool that allows a researcher to verify whether a case, statute, regulation, or administrative decision is still good law, determine if a patent or trademark is still valid, and find citing references to support a legal argument.

When you pull up a case in Westlaw, you may see a status flag next to the title. See the example below.

The flag indicates there are negative treatments affecting this case. This means that since the case was originally decided, there have been decisions that negatively impact the case. You can see the main negative treatment listed, including what it is, what case contains that treatment, and the date it was decided.  You can also see more negative treatments by clicking on the tab labeled "Negative Treatment."

Here are the status flags you may see next to a case.

Here is what each status flag means.

• For help finding resources, use the information in the library's playbooks. Librarians can help you understand the playbooks, but they cannot conduct research for you.
• For help with formatting citations, please consult the library's citation styles playbooks. Please note the librarians cannot help you with citation generators or with any citation guide other than the library's. 
• For help with composition issues (such as spelling, grammar, flow, etc.), please visit the Writing Center.
• If you have questions, please email the  librarians at reference@pvcc.edu or connect via chat. If your section has an embedded librarian, contact that specific librarian.