Not anyone can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal web sites. In law school we had access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started working towards. Many firms have or even more the other, and Just maybe large firms may subscribe to both. Even with access to 1 of these, I find that I might find things faster and much easier with free resources. Many states have statutes etc on-line nowadays. More and more are becoming available quite frequently.

That’s exactly where book “Legal Research” accessible. It provides simple to follow research methods that may you answer your legal questions. System has sections for on-line research also as the specifics of law libraries for those that have in order to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed chapters. The chapters include:
One: Comprehending the Basics from the Law. Brief descriptions with the the law is, reasons for law, state versus federal law, along with the court network. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this can be a good intro.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This legal act chapter explains where legal the key located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It includes Lexis and Westlaw, additionally other sites that cost nothing. I like the ideas and warnings through the actual book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to somebody that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known to many laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know before you go looking, like could be the case civil or criminal, figuring the actual area of law you want to research, what resources will a person to with generate profits . to find, and being aware of your legal research question. This is important, you want to know what you’re really really looking for before you travel searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Vendors. This chapter explores sources such marketing and advertising 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 legal businesses will have a lot in their kinds of resources, may will find even more at legislation library. This chapter gives a brief a closer look at what these sources might be.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Are generally generally the bulk of legislatively or administratively created law. This chapter explains how to obtain these resources and protect yourself with them. It covers finding and using constitutions, finding federal statutes, finding state statutes, understanding them, finding regulations along with rules and ordinances. Just about all these are crucial depending on your particular issue. This chapter is a good introduction to 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 previously been decided. These cases interpreted laws and currently employ the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is an example of a famous case that is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn tips on how to use citations to find cases, find cases on the internet, find cases each morning law library.

Seven: Using Case . This chapter actually explains what an incident is, where did they are published, and how cases affect later disputes. If you matter utilizes case law, this chapter will a person to.
Eight: Validating Your Research. I pointed out the top earlier, review chapter goes further aid you specialist you have “good police.” It teaches you tips on how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use guarantee that the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make in instances yourself, you must be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the forms of things lawyers know a number of laypeople do not ever.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research make use of. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is get to know. Once you find the information, ought to put that find in written form for homeowners who asked a person find getting this done. This chapter provides essentials for writing a legal memorandum. Not quite as thorough as the semester class most novice law students take, but good for your non-lawyer. Is actually a brief section about going to the court and the court process and about a couple pages on finding and dealing with a personal injury lawyer.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it happens because lawyer improve by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach rare to knowledge. It’s very short, that this will provide the non-lawyer a little example of methods to in the law and go about finding your answer.

The book chapters stop here onpage 255. The next 100 plus pages is a glossary, which a person does not need when they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually uses a simple legal dictionary that will not replace “Black’s” but is a good resource. Then there is a short appendix on topics also as an index.

Overall, Amazingly exciting . this book could be very valuable for the one that wants or needs you need to do legal research but does not know where do you start. If you need to do-it-yourself, information can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of this legal research process for anyone without a law degree.