Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for those that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the ideas and warnings through the book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and deciding on your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know what you’re really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 attorneys will have a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief brief review what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Just about all these tend to be crucial depending into your particular factor. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be 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 how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases within the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, and this chapter goes further that can you specialist you have “good police.” It legal act teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. 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 those asked you find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and a legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach the question to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person commonly need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description in the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.