Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have much more the other, and I’m assuming large firms may subscribe to both. Despite access to at least of these, I realize that I can often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.
That’s where the book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides easy to follow research common law library methods to help you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as information regarding law libraries for those who have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics with the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, along with the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through out the book as well. Good caution that every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to one who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know for you to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law extra flab to research, what resources will help you with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research question. This is important, you want to know actually really interested in before you decide to 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, et cetera. Many law firm will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief brief review what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Components the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. All the these are important depending on top of your particular trouble. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case that 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 each morning law collection.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an incident is, that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Seek. I pointed out the top earlier, which chapter goes further support you acquiring 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. An individual are wanting make a case yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many 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 get to know. Once you find the information, ought to put true find in written form for those asked you to find the concept. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough when your semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and a legal court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, it will provide the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to with the law and accomplish finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The following 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person usually need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics along with an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to attempt legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you have to do-it-yourself, information can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.