NCJ Number
84518
Date Published
1982
Length
232 pages
Annotation
This manual provides the information necessary for paralegals, legal secretaries, and others to perform legal research in a law library.
Abstract
The work explains how to find the laws that relate to a specific case or legal question, to read and interpret statutes and regulations, to find and research cases, and to understand the meaning of case citations. Additional topics addressed include the nature and purpose of legal encyclopedias and digests, the use of the Shepard's Citations series, and the importance of law review articles. The step-by-step approach to research is emphasized throughout. In addition, the work describes case law and its relationship to the judicial system, gives procedural pointers for those who choose to represent themselves in court actions, examines the application of the Freedom of Information Act, discusses computers and the law. Photographs of reference books and sample pages, sketches, notes, and an index are provided; civil law topic definitions and instructions for writing a memorandum are appended.