Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to a single of these, I realize that I can frequently find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s area book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as info on law libraries for those that have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through out the book too. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what legal act Resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and deciding on your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really looking for before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such the way resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many lawyers will have a lot top kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these are essential depending on your particular provide. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases inside of law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the end earlier, review chapter goes further support you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make a suit yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople don’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, ought to put people find in written form for homeowners who asked you find the product. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach realistic to studying. It’s very short, the software will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and accomplish finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. As there are a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for any without legislation degree.