Not everybody 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 because you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and I reckon that large firms may to be able to both. Despite access to at least of these, I recognize that I can often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s area book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides easy to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as information regarding law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, as well as the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it Indian law library drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know in order to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with try not to to find, and finding out your legal research question. This is important, you want to know actually really interested in before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 law firm will possess a lot top kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief an assessment what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Just about all these are important depending on your own own particular trouble. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases in the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a procedure 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 legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know plenty of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for those asked a person find it. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the judge process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, that this will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of how to with the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know the place to begin. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.