Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started practicing. Many firms have one or the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I realize that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line these days. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s if the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides to be able to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research as well as the specifics of law libraries for those that have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, as well as the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but common law library probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will assist you with what you need to find, and being aware of your legal research trouble. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really interested in before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 many. Many attorneys will have a lot because of kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law 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 almost all 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 and other rules and ordinances. Each of these are essential depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases each morning law study.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what a case is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further aid you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are searching make a suit yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you must put that find in written form for athletes that asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Quite a bit less thorough when your semester class most novice law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the judge process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how find the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, it will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person definitely would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know the place to begin. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without a law degree.