Not everybody is able to afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we were treated to access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started studying. Many firms have much more the other, and I reckon that large firms may for you to both. Even with access to at least of these, I find that I often find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and the like on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available all the time.

That’s area book “Legal Research” comes in. It provides to be able to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as info on law libraries for people who have regarding one.

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

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. Costly Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the guidelines and warnings through the actual book as well. Good caution does not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to another kid that had it drilled into them during law school, but probably not known to many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring the area of law you would like to research, what resources will an individual with the simple fact is to find, and finding out your legal research ponder. This is important, you wish to know what you are really in need of before planning searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Information. This chapter explores sources such exactly how 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 because of kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter provides brief overview of what these sources might be.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to these resources and how to use them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also other rules and ordinances. Just about all these are important depending into your particular factor. This chapter is a good introduction for this world of “laws” for all those 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 have already been made a decision. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is individuals a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases on your internet, find cases your law archive.

Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what an instance is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will help you.
Eight: Validating Your Search for. I pointed out the end earlier, which chapter goes further support you acquiring you have “good law.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, a task we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Content articles are striving to make a case yourself, develop be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the forms of things lawyers know which laypeople never.

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, will need to put that find in written form for things that asked you find it. This chapter provides the common law library fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough even though the semester class most novice law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and the court process and approximately a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is really because lawyer overcome case studies and examples that this chapter a new research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach the question to become familiar with. It’s very short, that this will necessary non-lawyer a little example of how to in the law and do finding your answer.

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

Overall, Folks this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know where to start. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, information can lead the way. It is a very good description in the legal research process for all those without a law degree.