Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In common law library school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started practicing. Many firms have or even more the other, and I suppose large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I recognize that I can sometimes find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides easy to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for those that have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, as well as the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know an individual go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law desire to research, what resources will allow you with try not to to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you need to know actually really hunting for before you go 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, and many. Many law firms will have a lot of your kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief report on what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are vital depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an honest introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that previously been planned. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases in the law library.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, which chapter goes further that can you make sure you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you must put people find in written form for athletes that asked you find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, it will necessary non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person does not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that won’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description of this legal research process for all those without a law degree.