Legal problems can arise at any time. Equipping yourself with tools to conduct legal research is one of the easiest ways to prepare for a legal emergency. Learning these steps can help you understand your local legal system and could save you time and money in the future!
Legal research does not require a law degree. Simply put, all of the cases, laws, and legal guidance you may need are already available to you for free all over the internet and at your local law libraries. With the right approach, you can gather the necessary information that helps you understand your situation, prepare you to meet with an attorney, or even equip you to represent yourself in small claims court.
This guide follows the same framework taught by Gail Wechsler, Library Director here at the Law Library Association of St. Louis. So, don’t worry if you were unable to attend the last session; we have all of her valuable insight here!
As Gail reminds those who attend her Legal Research sessions, quoting Douglas Adams from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,
“Don’t panic.”
So, let’s dive right in. With a step-by-step plan and access to the right resources, anyone can start making sense of the law.
Step 1: Define the Issue
Before you begin your search, get your facts together!
- Collect all your paperwork: leases, contracts, notices, letters from agencies, or medical bills.
- Write out a timeline: when things happened, who was involved, and what documents were exchanged.
- Name the problem in plain English: “My landlord won’t return my security deposit,” or “I was denied unemployment benefits.”
This will help you focus your research on to the problem you are actually facing and will help save you from going down the wrong rabbit hole!
Step 2: Determine the Jurisdiction
Not every law applies everywhere, take some time to find out what laws applies to your situation.
- Federal law governs things like Social Security, immigration, bankruptcy, or federal taxes.
- State law covers areas like divorce, workers’ compensation, personal injury, and contracts.
- Local ordinances control city or county rules—noise ordinances, zoning, landlord-tenant codes, etc.
Step 3: Consult Secondary Sources
Jumping straight into statutes or case law is like reading medical textbooks when you’ve only got a cough. Start with the guides written for non-lawyers:
- LLASTL Links to many self-help guides to start your research!
- Legal encyclopedias: American Jurisprudence (AmJur) or NOLO’s online encyclopedia.
- Form books and practice guides: If you need to file a claim, these often have templates.
These resources give you plain-language explanations, plus citations to the “real” law if you want to go deeper as you move onto the next step.
Step 4: Primary Sources
Once you feel that you have a good general understanding of the legal issue and the laws that apply to that issue, dive into primary sources!
- Statutes: These are the written laws.
- Federal – www.law.cornell.edu/federal
- Missouri - revisor.mo.gov/main/home.aspx
- Illinois – www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp
- Cases: Judges interpret and apply those laws in court opinions. Use Google Scholar for free access. First, search your issue, then filter by jurisdiction (e.g., Missouri courts).
- Constitutions: The Constitution of the United States and State Constitutions are also great resources to understand the foundation of your rights and where our laws come from.
Step 5+6 : Assess and Update Your Findings
The law is always changing. A case from 1990 might not reflect current practice if it was overturned, or a statute may have been amended last year.
- Look for the “history” or “annotations” under statutes to see if they’ve changed.
- On Google Scholar, check if later cases have cited your case—did they affirm it, or criticize it?
- Use up-to-date books (avoid guides older than 10 years unless it’s history research).
That’s all it takes to begin your legal research. We are always here to help!
If you have questions about legal research or where to get started in your legal research project, contact the Law Library Association of St. Louis or attend our next legal research presentation at Maplewood Public Library on October 6th at 6:30 P.M. For more information, visit https://www.maplewoodpubliclibrary.org/events/.