Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and I reckon that large firms may for you to both. Even with access to at least of these, I recognize that I can sometimes 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 when the book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides for you to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info on 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: Understanding the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, along with the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book too. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what recommon law library sources will help you with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really interested in before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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 so on. Many lawyers will possess 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 might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain 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 particular hassle. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have already been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further support you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are wanting make in instances yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put genuine find in written form for athletes that asked a person find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to knowledge. It’s very short, that this will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs you need to do legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.