Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal services. In law school there were 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 suppose large firms may for you to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I recognize that I might find things faster and much easier 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” obtainable. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research too as the specifics of law libraries for those that have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, regarding 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 is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal information is common law library located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that are free. I like the guidelines and warnings through out the book too. 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 since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with generate profits . to find, and figuring out your legal research ponder. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really in need of before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such as online resources (including a bit about deciding if reliable), self-help legal books, legal encyclopedias, form books, practice manuals, continuing legal education publications, law reviews, as well as the. Many lawyers will possess a lot of these kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief an assessment what these sources are.
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 protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Both of these are crucial depending into your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction to this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been decided. 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 of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases your law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an instance is, how they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Look. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good legal.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are searching make a situation yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know lots of laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you put genuine find in written form for things that asked you find thought. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough even though the semester class most first year law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the legal court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a personal injury lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter the research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, and so it will supply the non-lawyer just a little example of methods to the the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. Your next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person would not need they were a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. As there are a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the individual that wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of the legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020