Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have much more the other, and I suppose large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to at least of these, I see I often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” will be in. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for people that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, online recommon law library sources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that cost nothing. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known to many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really interested in before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 law firm will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief overview of what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the almost all 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 also rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending on your own own particular issue. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for those 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 formerly been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases within the law study.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further in order to assist you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are striving to make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople never.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you must put what you find in written form for athletes that asked a person find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough as the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach yet to studying. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to in the law and go about finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person commonly need when 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 is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where to start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description in the legal research process for everyone without a law degree.