Not everyone 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 whenever you got out and started working towards. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may for you to both. Despite access to one 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 all the time.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides easy to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research too as information regarding law libraries for those who have in order to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, involving 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 the good acclimatation.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the tips and warnings through the book too. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that 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 in order to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will assist you with try not to to find, and figuring out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know what you are really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. This chapter explores sources such exactly how resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, and so on. Many lawyers will have a lot top kinds of resources, and you will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief brief review what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the bulk 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 along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are vital depending on your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have already been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what a case is, how they are published, and how cases affect later quarrels. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further in order to assist you specialist you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are striving to make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the types of things lawyers know that many Indian law library laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, have to put what you find in written form for things that asked in order to find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most first year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Genuine effort . a brief section about going to the court and legal court process resulting in a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach the question to studying. It’s very short, that this will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of how to from the law and begin finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person definitely would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description belonging to the legal research process for any without legislation degree.