Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may for you to both. Despite access to one of these, I recognize that I often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides easy to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research also as info on law libraries for people who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: legal act Understanding the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and being aware of your legal research interrogation. This is important, you need to know what you are really looking for before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, and so on. Many lawyers will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources are.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Both of these tend to be crucial depending against your particular trouble. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have already been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good police.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are trying to make a case yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know lots of 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 preparation. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find the product. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach rare to studying. It’s very short, so it will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of how to from the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person does not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. There is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to do legal research but does not know how to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for anyone without a law degree.