Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal information. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty when you got out and started studying. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may for you to both. Even with access to one of these, I realize that I often find things faster and simpler with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available often.

That’s if the book “Legal Research” obtainable. It provides for you to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. The book has sections for on-line research also as info about law libraries for people who have regarding one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Knowing Basics of the Law. Brief descriptions of what the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and also the court network. Too basic for an attorney, however for the layperson the book was written for, it is a good acclimatation.

Two: Finding Legal Learning websites. 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, furthermore other sites that have the freedom. I like the information and warnings through out the book too. Good caution doesn’t every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known numerous laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know in order to go looking, like is the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law would like to to research, what resources will a person to with what you need to find, and working out your legal research question. This is important, you need to know what you’re really looking for before you decide to searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. 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, and so on. Many law firm will possess a lot top kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief brief review what these sources are.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the majority of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how uncover these resources and guidelines them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and other rules and ordinances. Each of these are crucial depending against your particular issue. This chapter is an efficient introduction for this world of “laws” for those that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Some of our law is not found in statutes, however in the decisions of cases that have previously 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 is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn easy methods to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases each morning law library.

Seven: Using Case Legal system. This chapter actually explains what an incident is, the way that they are published, and how cases affect later arguments. If you matter depends upon case law, this chapter will assist.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the tip earlier, and this chapter goes further in order to assist you guaranteed that you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you ways to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make in a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good .” These are the types of things lawyers know which legal act laypeople don’t.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research to use. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is research. Once you find the information, will need to put people find in written form for athletes that asked in which find the concept. This chapter provides the fundamentals for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough when your semester class most fresh law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the court process contributing to a couple pages on finding and working with a legal counsel.

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

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The other 100 plus pages is often a glossary, that your person would not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which will not replace “Black’s” but decent resource. Then there’s a short appendix on topics plus an index.

Overall, Feel this book could be very valuable for the one who wants or needs to do legal research but doesn’t know how to start. If you need to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the way. It is a very good description for this legal research process for any without a law degree.