Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to one of these, I discovered that I can sometimes find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as information regarding law libraries for those that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is 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. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book as well. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will assist you with what you need to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really really looking for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such as online 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 many. Many law firms will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides brief an assessment what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. All of these are crucial depending on your particular trouble. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that previously been decided. 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 of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases your law library.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are planning to make a case yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for things that asked you find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal act memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and the court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach rare to knowledge. It’s very short, it will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person definitely would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of the legal research process for any without legislation degree.