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Law Library Mission Statement

The Central Rappahannock Regional Public Law Library, a part of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, provides access to information about laws and legal procedures to the general public, attorneys, and the judiciary. The library develops and maintains a collection of books, legal periodicals, and online databases accessible from public computers. The law librarian offers classes to familiarize our customers with our collection, as well as instruction in the use of our online databases and the Internet for legal research.

Location

The Central Rappahannock Regional Law Library is located on the lowest level of the Headquarters Branch of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, 1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Hours

The Law Librarian is available:

  • Monday-Thursday 12-4 pm
  • Friday 1-5 pm

Attorneys may request twenty-four hour access. Attorneys should contact the law librarian for an explanation of this service.

Law Library Telephone: (540) 372-1144, ext. 238

Click here for the policies pertaining to CRRL's legal information services.

Law Blog

Can You Give Me the Name of a Good Lawyer?
Jeffrey Garth Edmunds, LibraryPoint Blog, Law Blog
10/16/2012 - 3:31am
VLRS

No. Although there are many good local lawyers, CRRL librarians cannot make referrals.

But help is available at the Virginia Lawyer Referral Service, 1-800-552-7977.

Your call to the VLRS will be answered by a referral specialist who will request your name, address, a daytime phone number, and a brief description of your problem. Based on this information, you will be provided with the name and telephone number of a lawyer in your area who has indicated a particular interest in handling your type of problem.

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The Way We Were
Jeffrey Garth Edmunds, Law Blog
10/15/2012 - 9:24am
The Way We Were

Read a law book for fun?! Yes, believe it or not!

The CRRL Law Library has a 60-year-old law book in its collection that is actually fun to read. The Code of the City of Fredericksburg Virginia 1952 occasionally lets you glimpse what life was like here long ago, in a quieter, slower time.

Take a peek at some of its provisions:

"it shall be unlawful to have, keep, raise or maintain bees within the city limits." Sec. 4-5

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Legal Forms on Demand
divorce forms, Jeffrey Garth Edmunds, Legal Forms, LibraryPoint Blog, Law Blog, Nonfiction
05/24/2012 - 7:18pm
Legal Forms on Demand

“Do you have the divorce forms?” That question’s not as easy to answer as you might think -- but CRRL can probably help!

“How do I get an annulment in Virginia?” “Is there a form I can use to change my name?” “Can I file for bankruptcy without a lawyer?” “Is there a list of local domestic violence shelters?”

Grab-and-go forms and flyers dealing with all these legal matters, and many, many others, are now available at the CRRL Law Library.

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A Giveaway: "Understanding Your Domestic Relations Rights in Virginia"
domestic-relations, Jeffrey Garth Edmunds, LibraryPoint Blog, rights, Law Blog
10/31/2011 - 3:46pm

The Law Library has a limited number of copies of the excellent booklet, "Understanding Your Domestic Relations Rights in Virginia 2010-2011" to give away to the general public.

Prepared specially for non-lawyers by the Metropolitan Richmond Women's Bar Association, the booklet provides clear and up-to-date answers to many of the most commonly asked questions about adoption, paternity, family violence, divorce, spousal and child support, custody and visitation, property settlements, and etc.

Get your copy by contacting the Law Librarian at 540-372-1144, ext. 238.

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Is There A Law for That?
Jeffrey Garth Edmunds, Law Blog
06/28/2011 - 8:39am

Easy access to local codes and ordinances is just the sort of thing that we've come to expect from the Internet. The City of Fredericksburg, Stafford County, Spotsylvania County and Westmoreland County  -- all now have their codes available on line.

But for those times when on-line won't do, there are printed copies of all these codes available in the Law Library, where CRRL staff members can also assist you in using them.

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Federal worker's annuity checks shrinking
Aileen Marshall, annuity, check, Law, Money, retired, retiree, tax, Law Blog
02/16/2011 - 2:20pm
Federal worker's annuity checks shrinking

Due to increased federal withholding, federal workers will see a lower number on their annuity checks. Higher health insurance premiums and no cost-of-living adjustments for two years make this change even more noticable.

Retirees can affect the amount of their checks bu adjusting their federal tax withholding deductions at www.opm.gov/retire or by calling 1-888-767-6738. Be aware that changing the amount of withholdings will not change your tax liability.

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Top Law Web Sites

1. Google Scholar
Google Scholar is a great place to start your legal research. You can search all legal opinions and journal articles or limit your search to either specific federal opinions or specific state opinions.

2. LexisOne
Lexisone is a free legal database but you must register to use it. Once you have registered, the database is very accessible. You can search case law, statutes and more.

3. Cornell Law School
Cornell University Law School’s web site provides access to codes and other information, including the Code of Federal Regulations. The site also provides information on proper legal citation. There are links to state-specific information.

4. Thomas
Launched in 1995, Thomas provides access to bills and resolutions, information about the way our government works and more.

5. GPO Access
The Government Printing Office provides federal information from all three branches of government. Check out the A-Z Resource list for a list of Federal Resources available on the site.

6. WashLaw Web
Washlaw Web provides links to state, federal and international legal information.

7. AALLnet
Created by members of the American Association of Law Librarians, this website provides basic information for conducting legal research. Check out the link for the Public Library Toolkit which will provide state specific information.

8. The Virtual Chase
Although the Virtual Chase is designed for legal professionals, anyone interested in learning the legal research process as well as learning resources to locate people or company information, will find the resources useful.

9. Hieros Gamos
Hieros Gamos is not just for legal professionals. Check out the articles as well as the links in the Law and Practice Center.

10. Ben’s Guide to the U.S. Government for kids
Ben’s Guide is created by staff from the Government Printing Office and offers information for students that is grade specific as well as recommendations for parents and teachers.