Not everybody can afford Lexis or Westlaw, the two biggest subscriber based on-line legal resources. In law school there were access to both, because both companies wanted to earn your loyalty for when you got out and started practicing. Many firms have much more the other, and Maybe large firms may in order to both. Even with access a minimum of one of these, I discovered 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 on a daily basis.

That’s area book “Legal Research” does its part. It provides easy to follow research methods to aid you answer your legal questions. Course . has sections for on-line research as well as info about law libraries for those that have access to one.

The book consists of 386 pages divided among ten information packed sections. The chapters include:
One: Understanding the Basics of your Law. Brief descriptions of the items the law is, sources of law, state versus federal law, and the court structure. Too basic for an attorney, but for the layperson the book was written for, this is a good acclimatation.

Two: Finding Legal Resources. This chapter explains where legal facts are located, primary and secondary sources, websites for legal topics, and legal research websites. It offers Lexis and Westlaw, furthermore other sites that cost nothing. I like the information and warnings through the book also. Good caution not every opinion you find is good law. Obvious to a person that had it drilled into them during law school, but most likely not known ordinarily laypeople.

Three: Identifying Your Legal Issue. In order to know an individual go looking, like may be the case civil or criminal, figuring out the area of law would like to to research, what resources will allow you with what you need to find, and being aware of your legal research interrogation. This is important, you want to know what you are really hunting for before you go searching.

Four: Finding and Using Secondary Sources. 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 attorneys will have a lot top kinds of resources, and you will find even more at a law library. This chapter offers a brief an assessment what these sources normally.

Five: Finding and Using Constitutions, Statutes, Regulations, and Ordinances. Tend to be some the almost all 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. All the these are important depending on top of your particular factor. This chapter is a superior introduction to this world of “laws” for the people that are charting unfamiliar territory.

Six: Finding Cases. Quantity our law is not found in statutes, but in the decisions of cases that already have been decided. These cases interpreted laws and are now the rule until legislature changes it, or another case overrules it. Roe v. Wade is difficulties are people a famous case which usually is looked to regarding abortion law. This chapter helps the reader learn the right way to use citations to find cases, find cases through the internet, find cases within the law collection.

Seven: Using Case Statute. This chapter actually explains what a case is, the way that 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 legal act pointed out the end earlier, so, as chapter goes further to help you retain all of your you have “good police.” It teaches you how to Shepardize a Case, an operation we lawyers use to make sure the cases we are relying on are still good. Purchasing are trying to make in instances yourself, you need to be sure you are relying on “good laws.” These are the types of things lawyers know plenty of laypeople typically.

Nine: Organizing and Putting Your Legal Research using. One thing clerks, legal interns, and associates spend a lot of time doing is studies. Once you find the information, ought to put what you find in written form for things that asked you to find thought. This chapter provides the basics for writing a legal memorandum. Not as thorough currently being the semester class most 1st year law students take, but good for the non-lawyer. However a brief section about going to the court and legal court process leading to a couple pages on finding and working with an attorney at law.

Ten: Research Hypothetical and Memorandum. Maybe it is because lawyer learn by case studies and examples that this chapter provides a research problem, how to find the facts, and then how to approach realistic to knowledge. It’s very short, so it will provide the non-lawyer a little example of how to from the law and try finding the way to go.

The book chapters stop here on page 255. The next 100 plus pages can be a glossary, that your person definitely would not need if they have a legal dictionary. Nolo actually comes with a simple legal dictionary that wont replace “Black’s” but is the best resource. Plus there is a short appendix on topics plus 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 how to start. If you are required to do-it-yourself, this guide can lead the manner for you. It is a very good description of the legal research process for any without a law degree.