Equipment That Attorneys Rely On to In Doing Their Official Work
Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two legal act biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started could. Many firms have one or the other, and Maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I discovered that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line these days. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s area book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research as well as specifics of law libraries for people who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Regulations Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, along with the court system. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information and facts is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, however additionally other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known many laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will an individual with the simple fact is to find, and deciding on your legal research trouble. This is important, you want to know actually really looking for before you decide to searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, as well as the. Many attorneys will have a lot of your kinds of resources, may will find even more at a law library. This chapter provides for 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 bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover 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 along with rules and ordinances. All of these are crucial depending on top of your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for anyone that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that previously been planned. 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 which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases on top of the internet, find cases your law library.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the end earlier, and this chapter goes further that can you retain all of your you have “good law.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, a procedure we lawyers use certain the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are searching make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the types of things lawyers know a number of laypeople don’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 get to know. Once you find the information, will need to put true find in written form for athletes that asked in which find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for your 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 an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter any research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach the question to research. It’s very short, the software will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to the the law and try finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on-page 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually has a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. There is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know where do you start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the chance. It is a very good description of the legal research process for anyone without a law degree.
