Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access a minimum of one of these, I see I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for people who have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, along with the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the laylegal act person the book was written for, it is a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the information and warnings through out the book also. Good caution 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 numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research question. This is important, you need to know what you’re really interested in before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 of these kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Each of these are crucial depending on top of your particular hassle. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for all those 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 made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law library.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further in order to assist you guaranteed that you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are wanting make in a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the types of things lawyers know which laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put what you find in written form for athletes that asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough when your semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to become familiar with. It’s very short, so it will give the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and try finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person commonly need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description for this legal research process for everyone without a law degree.