Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal natural resources. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started training. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Despite access to at least of these, I realize that I can often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.
That’s area book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides simple follow research methods to help you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, and the court routine. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Products. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, internet resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the tips and warnings through the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known since laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go common law library looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will assist you with may well be a to find, and figuring out your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really seeking before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, and so on. Many law firms will possess a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides for a brief a closer look at what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. These are the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how identify these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Just about all these are important depending on your particular provide. This chapter is an honest introduction for this world of “laws” for people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Much of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and have grown to be the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is one of a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law library.
Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter relies upon case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further to help you make sure you have “good guideline.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are wanting make in instances yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know a number of laypeople can’t.
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 preparation. Once you find the information, will need to put that find in written form for things that asked you to find getting this done. 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 your non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and a legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a lawyer.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach the question to knowledge. It’s very short, that this will give the non-lawyer a little example of methods to from the law and begin finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person commonly need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs complete legal research but does not know where do you start. If you must do-it-yourself, information can lead the opportunity. It is a very good description of this legal research process for those without a law degree.
Posted on:
February 15, 2020