Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started practicing. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I find that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as the specifics of law libraries for those who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good acclimatation.
Two: legal act finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the tips and warnings through the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to 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 extra flab to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know actually really looking for before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such the way resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, et cetera. Many legal businesses will possess a lot top kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for a brief brief review what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find 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. Just about all these are essential depending on your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that already have been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and have been the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law study.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, so, as chapter goes further support you guaranteed that you have “good police.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are trying to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the regarding things lawyers know lots of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for athletes that asked in which find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the judge process and about a couple pages on finding and working with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person usually need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. As there are a short appendix on topics also index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know the place to begin. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for those without a law degree.