Resources That Attorneys Rely On In Doing Their Official Work
Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we’d access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty because you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I find that I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.
That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to follow research methods to assist you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research also as specifics of law libraries for people that have use of one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, regarding law, state versus federal law, and the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good rewards.
Two: Finding Legal Websites. This chapter explains where legal results are located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free of charge. I like the ideas and warnings through the book as well. Good caution doesn’t 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. In order to know in order to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law desire to research, what resources will allow you with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research subject. This is important, you wish to know that which you are really seeking before proceeding searching.
Four: Finding and Using Secondary Resources for the article. 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, et cetera. Many law firms will have a lot in their kinds of resources, and will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides a brief an assessment what these sources normally.
Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations together with other rules and ordinances. All of these are essential depending on your particular issue. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.
Six: Finding Cases. A wide variety of our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that have already been created the 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 difficulties are people 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 in the law collection.
Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what a case is, that are published, and how cases affect later differences. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further support you specialist you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are searching make a suit yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good policies.” These are the kinds of things lawyers know which laypeople can’t.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is preparation. Once you find the information, you must put people find in written form for those asked in which find the product. This chapter provides fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough while the semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and common law library examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to discover the facts, and then how to approach motor oil to studying. It’s very short, the software will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to with the law and begin finding your solution.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. Your next 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person usually need should they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is a superb resource. There is a short appendix on topics along with 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 mode. It is a very good description of this legal research process for everyone without legislation degree.
