Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when ever you got out and started training. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may for you to both. Despite access a minimum of one of these, I discovered that I can sometimes find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. Was created to promote has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for those who have in order to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, involving 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 a good intro.

Two: Finding Legal Websites. This legal act chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that have the freedom. I like the information and warnings through the book as well. Good caution that 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 may be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will assist you with the simple fact is to find, and working out your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know what you’re really looking for before you decide to searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such the way 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 lawyers will have a lot because of kinds of resources, an individual also will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief report on 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 increase your website’s traffic them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Both of these are important depending into your particular hassle. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. A lot of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been created the decision. These cases interpreted laws and are usually the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case which is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases within the law catalogue.

Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what in instances is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will aid you.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further support you retain all of your you have “good police.” It teaches you the best 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 in a situation yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good law.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople typically.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. 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 people find in written form for athletes that asked in which find thought. 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 the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and a legal court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a legal practitioner.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is mainly because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how get the facts, and then how to approach realistic to become familiar with. It’s very short, that this will supply the non-lawyer a little example of methods to the the law and go about finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here on page 255. Another 100 plus pages is a glossary, that your person definitely would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually possess a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics and an index.

Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to do legal research but does not know how 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 those without legislation degree.