Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that 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 the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free. I like the ideas and warnings through the book too. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous 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 you would like to research, what resources will a person to with what you need to find, and working out your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know what you are really interested in before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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, as well as the. Many attorneys will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief overview of what these sources are.
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 identify these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Each of these are essential depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for all those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that 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 one of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases each morning law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they 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 Seek. I pointed out the tip earlier, see chapter goes further aid you make sure you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are trying to make a suit yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the regarding things lawyers know lots of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal legal act interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for athletes that asked a person find it. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough currently being the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person would not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know where to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description in the legal research process for any without a law degree.