Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we were treated to 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 I’m assuming large firms may to be able to both. Despite access a minimum of one of these, I discovered that I can frequently find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s area book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides to be able to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Course . has common law library sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for people that have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and also the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good rewards.
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. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that are free of charge. I like the guidelines and warnings through the book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what resources will allow you with try not to to find, and deciding on your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know actually really interested in before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such exactly how resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, et cetera. Many law firms will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief report on what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. All of these are important depending on your own own particular provide. This chapter is a positive introduction to this world of “laws” for 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 have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of 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 your internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, see chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are planning to make a case yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, have to put true find in written form for homeowners who asked in which find thought. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and a legal court process contributing to 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 the research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, and so it will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of how to in the law and try finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person usually need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for those without a law degree.