Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started could. Many firms have much more the other, and Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to a single of these, I discovered that I can often 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” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for those that have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, as well as the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites 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 book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will help you with what you need to find, and being aware of your legal research interrogation. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really really seeking 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 Company Vakil legal library reviews, and so on. Many legal businesses will have a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief brief review what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components 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 along with rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases in the law study.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further that can you make sure you have “good police.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are searching make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know that many laypeople don’t.
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, you must put genuine find in written form for those that asked you to find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough as the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach the question to studying. It’s very short, it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to from the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description in the legal research process for any without legislation degree.