Not everyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school we access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty whenever you got out and started training. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I discovered that I can frequently find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available on a daily basis.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides for you to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. In an effort to has sections for on-line research as well as info on law libraries for people that have regarding one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics among the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, associated with law, state versus federal law, and the court unit. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, this is the good be released.

Two: Finding Legal Equipment. This chapter explains where legal information is located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, but also other sites that are free. I like the information and warnings through the book also. Good caution that not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to someone who had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known numerous laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law extra flab to research, what resources will assist you with may well be a to find, and working out your legal research ponder. This is important, you wish to know what you are really seeking before planning searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such understanding of 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 many. Many law firms will possess a lot of your kinds of resources, an individual will find even more at legislation library. This chapter offers a brief a closer look at what these sources are.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Of the the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain 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 tend to be crucial depending against your particular hassle. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for all those 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 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 an example of a famous case is actually 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 your law library.

Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, that are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter depends on case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, review chapter goes further aid you guaranteed that you have “good police.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to create the cases we are relying on are still good. An individual are wanting make a situation yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the kinds of things lawyers know lots of laypeople can’t.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to be able to. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, you must put what you find in written form for those that asked you to find getting this done. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough even though the semester class most fresh law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. There is a brief section about going to court and the court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and dealing with a lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach yet to research. It’s very short, so it will supply the non-lawyer a little example of how to look at the law and begin finding your solution.

The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics and an index.

Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs complete legal research but doesn’t know where to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the legal act chance. It is a very good description for this legal research process for any without a law degree.