Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to one of these, I realize that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s area 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 as well as specifics of law libraries for those that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, as well as the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the ideas and warnings through out the book also. Good caution that not 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 to many 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 actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will a person to with what you need to find, and being aware of your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know what you’re really in need of before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. 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 many. Many attorneys will have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides a brief an assessment what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. All the these are essential depending on your particular trouble. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for 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 have 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 difficulties are people a famous case is actually 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 collection.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further to help you guaranteed that you have “good guideline.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. If you are planning to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research unit. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, have to put that find in written form for things that asked in order to find the concept. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal act memorandum. Much less thorough even though the semester class most first year law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to the court and the judge process contributing to a couple pages on finding and with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, and so it will give the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person commonly need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know where do you start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, information can lead the chance. It is a very good description in the legal research process for any without legislation degree.