Is this any better Legal For Me to use Public Domain Information?
Not everyone can 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 when ever 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 to a single of these, I find that I might find things faster and easier with free resources. Many states have statutes and such on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available normally.
That’s area book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides simple follow research methods enable you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research too as specifics of law libraries for those who have regarding one.
The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Learning the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions of the things the law is, involving law, state versus federal law, as well as the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this may be a good be released.
Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter India law library explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, online resources for legal topics, and legal research websites. Consists of Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that are free of charge. I like the information and warnings through out the book as well. Good caution that 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 ordinarily laypeople.
Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. Things to know for you to go looking, like will be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law desire to research, what resources will assist you with generate profits . to find, and finding out your legal research subject. This is important, you want to know what you are really in need of before you travel 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, as well as the. Many attorneys will have a lot top kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief an assessment what these sources are.
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 to find these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations and also rules and ordinances. Both of these are crucial depending against your particular trouble. This chapter is a good introduction to this world of “laws” for all 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 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 one of a famous case of which may be looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn how to use citations to find cases, find cases around the internet, find cases within the law archive.
Seven: Using Case Law. This chapter actually explains what in a situation is, that they are published, and how cases affect later disagreements. If you matter relies on case law, this chapter will to be able to.
Eight: Validating Your Analysis. I pointed out the end earlier, see chapter goes further support you retain all of your you have “good the legal system.” It teaches you the best way to Shepardize a Case, an activity we lawyers use to ensure the cases we are relying on are still good. Prone to are planning to make a situation yourself, you’ll want to be sure you are relying on “good legislations.” These are the associated with things lawyers know that many laypeople do not ever.
Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend lots of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, you put that find in written form for athletes that asked a person find getting this done. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Much less thorough currently being the semester class most newbie law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to court and the court process leading to a couple pages on finding and dealing with an attorney at law.
Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is they lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how learn the facts, and then how to approach rare to research. It’s very short, it will a number of circumstances non-lawyer a little example of methods to in the law and go about finding your answer.
The book chapters stop here on page 255. The following 100 plus pages is often a glossary, which a person would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually is sufffering from a simple legal dictionary which don’t replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.
Overall, I think this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs to attempt legal research but does not know where to begin. If you are forced to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the mode. It is a very good description of the legal research process for all those without legislation degree.
