Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal act information. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may in order to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I realize that I often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as information regarding law libraries for people that have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, and also the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who 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 may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you would like to research, what resources will allow you with try not to to find, and being aware of your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know what you are really in need of before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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, et cetera. Many lawyers will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief overview of what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and increase your website’s traffic 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 are essential depending on top of your particular provide. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is in the following paragraphs 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 on top of the internet, find cases each morning law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what a case is, how they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good legal.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are striving to make in instances yourself, will have to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you must put that find in written form for those that asked in which find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough even though the semester class most first year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, that this will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of how to in the law and go about finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Another 100 plus pages can be a glossary, which a person usually need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know where to start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description in the legal research process for anyone without a law degree.