Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and Just maybe large firms may to be able to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I realize 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 often.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for people that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and being aware of your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know what you are really interested in before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 many. Many law firm will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Both of these are vital depending on your own own particular provide. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been created the 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 in the following paragraphs a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases within the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further support you guaranteed that you have “good legal.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are wanting make a suit yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the types of things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, have to put genuine find in written form for homeowners who asked in which find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough when your semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, it will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and do 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 they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know how to start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description in the legal act research process for any without a law degree.