Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to a single of these, I recognize that I can often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides to be able to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that cost nothing. I like the tips and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal act research trouble. This is important, you want to know actually really hunting for before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 attorneys will have a lot of your kinds of resources, and will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief brief review 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 protect yourself with 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 vital depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that already have been made a decision. 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 that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further to help you specialist you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are striving to make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know that many laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for athletes that asked you to find the product. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to court and the judge process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to become familiar with. It’s very short, so it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and do finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person commonly need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. There is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Folks 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 chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.