The Law Library is operated by the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center as a section of the Information Services Department of the Headquarters Library.

The Law Library is primarily used by the legal community and students. However, the facility is available to the general public as a reference Library.

Library staff absolutely do not give legal advice or opinions. Customers will be shown what resources the library has concerning their interests or problem, and how to use the printed materials and electronic databases (CD–ROMs).

Basic legal resources are found in the Law Library including North Carolina laws and cases, the U.S. Code Annotated, the U.S. Code Service, U.S. Supreme Court cases, legal encyclopedias, digests, Federal Supplement, Federal Reporter, and South Eastern Reporter. The library staff also suggests these two Internet sites as resources: Findlaw and North Carolina Courts.

 

Frequently Asked Questions
at the Law Library

1. Where can I find a lawyer?

You can consult the yellow pages of the Fayetteville phonebook. You can also call the North Carolina Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service at 1-800-662-7660. The Law Library maintains an older edition of the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is a listing of both national and international lawyers. For your convenience, you might wish to search for a lawyer using their website: www.lawyers.com

2. Where do I complain about my lawyer?

You should contact the North Carolina State Bar at 919-828-4620. Their mailing address is Post Office Box 25908, Raleigh, NC 27611-5908. Their website is www.ncbar.com

3. Where can I find a copy of North Carolina laws?

All locations of the Cumberland County Public Library & Information Center, including the Law Library, maintain the North Carolina General Statutes in their reference collections. You may also access the statutes online at www.ncga.state.nc.us

4. Why can’t your staff tell me what the law means, what law applies to me, what form to use and what legal procedures I need to use?

North Carolina law (NCGS 84-4) prohibits nonlawyers from assisting in this manner. This law is for your protection.

5. Do I need to hire an attorney for my case?

The decision of whether you obtain an attorney is your own. For your own protection, you might want to give careful thought to this decision.

6. How can I legally change my name?

The Law Library has 2 sources for you to consult if you wish to do it yourself. Remember that the librarian may not tell you which forms to use. The first source is North Carolina General Statute Chapter 101. The second source is North Carolina General Practice Deskbook, Volume II.

7. Where can I find the North Carolina laws on landlord and tenant?

A good place to begin reading might be Chapter 42 of the North Carolina General Statutes.

8. Who can answer my questions about my jury summons?

Law Library staff cannot answer your jury duty questions. If you wish to read the laws on jury service, you can look at Chapter 9 of the North Carolina General Statutes. If you have been summoned for jury duty in Cumberland County, you should read and follow the instructions printed on your jury summons. You must consult with the jury coordinator for questions. The jury coordinator is not affiliated with the Law Library.

9. Is common-law marriage legal in North Carolina?

According to “North Carolina Divorce, Alimony and Child Custody with Forms,” 4th ed (2003) by Lloyd T. Kelso, “…North Carolina does not recognize common law marriages occurring in North Carolina, it does give full faith and credit to valid common law marriages occurring in other states.” (Page 23)

10. How can I do my own divorce in Cumberland County?

You might wish to call the Cumberland County Family Court at 678-2929. The Law Library along with other public library locations has the book How to File for Divorce in North Carolina. Some locations may have copies for checkout.