Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for 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. Even with access to 1 of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research also as information regarding law libraries for those that have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, sources of 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 can be a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really looking for before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, as well as the. Many legal businesses will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, legal act understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Both of these are crucial depending on your particular issue. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for all those 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 previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of 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 on top of the internet, find cases each morning law library.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further to help you make sure you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople don’t.
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, ought to put true find in written form for those that asked a person find the product. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough when your semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach rare to knowledge. It’s very short, that this will provide the non-lawyer a little example of methods to in the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person does not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. As there are 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 does not know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of this legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.