Not everyone is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started working towards. Many firms have much more the other, and Just maybe large firms may to be able to both. Even with 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 nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good be released.
Two: Indian law library finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book too. Good caution that not 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 numerous laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will help you with may well be a to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you need to know what you are really in need of before you go searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such as online 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 many. Many law firm will possess a lot top kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief overview of what these sources are typically.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain 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. Both of these are essential depending on your own own particular provide. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for all those 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 have previously been figured. These cases interpreted laws and are usually 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 law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases within the law study.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the tip earlier, which chapter goes further support you make sure you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are wanting make in instances yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the regarding things lawyers know which laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, have to put what you find in written form for things that asked you find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and the 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 provides a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to research. It’s very short, and so it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer just a little example of methods to in the law and accomplish finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, I do think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where to begin. If you have to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the way. It is a very good description of this legal research process for all those without legislation degree.