Not everyone is able to 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 could. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may for you to both. Despite access to one of these, I realize that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s area book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides simple follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good be released.
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 out the book also. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will help you with try not to to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know what you are really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 legal businesses will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and 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. These are the bulk of 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. Each of these are essential depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction to 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 created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases your common law library collection.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good guideline.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are searching make in a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know a number of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for homeowners who asked a person find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough as the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and the judge process and about a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and try finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, which a person would not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. As there are a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know how to start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.