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Researching Statutes: Indexes

This guide serves as an introduction to statutory research. To access the linked databases on Westlaw and Lexis, you should sign on to Westlaw and Lexis before clicking on the links in this guide.

Indexes

Usually published as a separate volume, like the United States Code Annotated General Index or the United States Code Service General Index, indexes contain an alphabetical list of subject headings paired with citations to related sections in the corresponding code.  A researcher can use keywords to search the index for relevant headings. 

Usually, the General Index to a code is shelved at the end of the volume set.  Bound volumes of the General Index to the United States Code can be found on the second floor of Brooklyn Law School's library.  Bound volumes of the General Index to McKinney's Consolidated Laws of New York Annotated can be found in the New York York Collection, which is located on the library's second floor. Bound volumes of the General Index to the Consolidated Laws of New York Annotated can also be found on the second floor of the library.

Federal Sources

Both Westlaw & Lexis publish their index to the United States Code online. For Westlaw, simply type United States Code Annotated Index in the search box or click on the link below.  To access it  on Lexis, click on the link below or follow this path: Statutes & Legislation > Federal > United States Code Service Titles 1-54-Index.

 

New York State Sources

Both Westlaw & Lexis publish their index to the New York State Code online.  On Westlaw, type "New York Statutes Index" in the search box and then select the source.  You can also click on the link below.  To access Lexis' Index to the New York Consolidated Law Service, type New York Consolidated Law Service Index in the main search bar.  Select the source and browse through the table of contents or click on the link below.