Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started could. Many firms have or even more the other, and Maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to at least of these, I find that I can often find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for those who have to be able to one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of 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, it is a good intro.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This Company Vakil law library chapter explains where legal results 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 information and warnings through the actual book as well. 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 many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know to be able to go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you would like to research, what resources will allow you with may well be a to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know what you’re really interested in before planning searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 attorneys will possess a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief a closer look at what these sources might be.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the almost all legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and strategies for them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. Just about all these are crucial depending into your particular issue. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that formerly been planned. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases within the law catalogue.
Seven: Using Case Legislated rules. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, see chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good police.” 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. Purchasing are striving to make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know which laypeople typically.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, ought to put genuine find in written form for athletes that asked in which find the concept. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not only thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for that non-lawyer. Can be a brief section about going to court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal counsel.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter supplies a research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach realistic to research. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to look at the law and do finding the way to go.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The other 100 plus pages is really a glossary, that your person commonly need whether they have had a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is an efficient resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.
Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the person who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without legislation degree.