Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have much more the other, and I suppose large firms may in order to both. Despite access to one of these, I realize that I can often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s when the book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for those who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, as well as the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, however other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through the actual book too. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with the simple fact is to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know what you are really seeking before you travel searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, and many. Many legal businesses will possess a lot top kinds of resources, an individual 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. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to find 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. Each of these are important depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is a superior introduction for this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that previously been planned. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case is actually looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases inside of law study.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the tip earlier, so, as chapter goes further that can you specialist you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a process we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make a case yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the regarding things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.
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 studies. Once you find the information, ought to put that find in written form for athletes that asked you to find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer overcome 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, it will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and go about finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person commonly need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal act dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. As there are a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the individual who wants or needs to enjoy legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description in the legal research process for those without a law degree.