Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and I suppose large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to a single of these, I recognize that I often 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 exactly where book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides for you to follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for people who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that 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 is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with what you need to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know what you’re really really hunting for before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. This chapter explores sources such legal act 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, as well as the. Many attorneys will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief an assessment what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Both of these tend to be crucial depending into your particular issue. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for the 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 formerly been planned. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case of which may be 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 study.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, see chapter goes further support you make sure you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are striving to make a situation yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the regarding things lawyers know plenty of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, will need to put genuine find in written form for things that asked in order to find it. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to knowledge. It’s very short, it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to with the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has 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 think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without a law degree.