Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started studying. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may to be able to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I recognize that I can frequently 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” comes in. It provides simple to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for those who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions from the the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and also the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good introduction.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through the book as well. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will help you with try not to to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you wish to know what you are really looking for before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Experts. 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, and so on. Many lawyers will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief brief review what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending on your own own particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for those 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 decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how you can use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good police.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are wanting make in instances yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. 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 you find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough currently being the semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach the question to research. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to from the law and accomplish finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person would not need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs complete legal research but does not know how to start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good Indian law library description for this legal research process for any without legislation degree.