Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to a single of these, I find that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides for you to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for people that have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it legal act drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will help you with the simple fact is to find, and deciding on your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really really looking for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such as online 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 law firms will have a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief overview of what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and strategies for 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 tend to be crucial depending against your particular factor. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that formerly been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases within the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in instances 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 Look. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further in order to assist you make sure you have “good police.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are wanting make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the associated with things lawyers know a number of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put that find in written form for those that asked you to find thought. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough while the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens 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, so it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to from the law and go about finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person does not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.