Legal Definitions - KeyCite

KeyCite refers to the essential legal research process of using a specialized online tool, also named KeyCite, to verify the current validity and legal standing of a specific legal authority, such as a court case, statute, or regulation. When you "KeyCite" a document, you are essentially checking its "subsequent history" to ensure that the legal principle or point you are researching is still considered "good law." This means confirming it has not been overturned, amended, repealed, or negatively impacted by later judicial decisions or legislative actions.

Here are some examples illustrating how KeyCite is used:

• Example 1: Verifying Case Precedent

  A corporate attorney is preparing a legal brief for a client and plans to rely heavily on a specific appellate court decision from 2005 that established a key precedent regarding contract interpretation. Before finalizing the brief, the attorney would KeyCite that 2005 case. This check would reveal if any more recent appellate or supreme court decisions have cited, distinguished, limited, or even overturned the original case, ensuring that the precedent cited is still legally sound and applicable to their client's situation.

• Example 2: Confirming Statutory Law

  A legal researcher is advising a startup on compliance with environmental regulations based on a state statute enacted three years ago. To provide accurate advice, the researcher would KeyCite the relevant sections of that statute. This process would confirm whether the legislature has passed any amendments, if a court has declared any part of it unconstitutional, or if any new regulations have been issued that supersede or modify the original statutory language, thus ensuring the advice is based on the most current law.

• Example 3: Assessing a Legal Argument's Strength

  A law student is writing a research paper arguing for a particular interpretation of a constitutional right, citing several federal district court opinions from the 1990s. To strengthen their argument, the student would KeyCite each of those district court cases. This would show if higher courts have affirmed their reasoning, if other district courts have rejected their conclusions, or if subsequent legislative action has rendered the specific legal point moot, thereby helping the student assess the persuasive authority of their chosen cases.