Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Despite access to 1 of these, I discovered that I can often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides to be able to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research also 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: Regulations Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, along with the court system. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good be released.
Two: common law library finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with may well be a to find, and deciding on your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know that which you are really interested in before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief brief review what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find these resources and strategies for 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 tend to be crucial depending on your own own particular issue. This chapter is a positive introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have already 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 individuals a famous case which is 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 in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, and this chapter goes further aid you make sure you have “good police.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are striving to make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the regarding things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put what you find in written form for those asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the judge process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, and so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person definitely would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know the place to begin. If you have to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description in the legal research process for those without legislation degree.