Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may to be able to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I recognize 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 exactly where book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides for you to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips 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. In order to know to be able to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will help you with may well be a to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know that which you are really interested in before you go 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 act education publications, law reviews, and so on. Many legal businesses will possess a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief overview of what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending on top of your particular trouble. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for the people 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 already have been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs 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 around the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further support you make sure you have “good law.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are searching make a suit yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the types of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, have to put genuine find in written form for athletes that asked in order to find the product. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough when your semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and a legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and do finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person commonly need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without a law degree.