Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and I reckon that large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to a single of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for those who have access to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, along with the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know an individual go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law would like to to research, what resources will assist you with try not to to find, and deciding on your legal research ponder. This is important, you need to know actually really hunting for before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, as well as the. Many lawyers will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources have always been.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify 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 together with other rules and ordinances. Both of these are important depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is an honest introduction for 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 previously been made a 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 difficulties are people a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion Indian law library. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases each morning law study.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further support you guaranteed that you have “good guideline.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are trying to make in instances yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know which laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those that asked a person find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to court and the legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach the question to research. It’s very short, so it will give 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 onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person definitely would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but does not know where to begin. If you must do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of this legal research process for all those without legislation degree.