Legal Research

Gather Facts and Information

Write a statement of facts and a timeline.

Do this to help gain a complete understanding of everything that has happened, or is happening, in your case. This will help you identify important facts and keep dates in your case straight as you go through the legal research process.

Identify the Legal Issue

Determine your legal problem and your desired outcome.

Simply figuring out where to start your legal research can often be a very hard part of the process. It may help to review your statement of facts and timeline, thinking about your ideal outcome as well as potential compromises. This will guide what type of law you research as well as assist others in helping you accomplish your goals.

Find Legal Information and Read About the Law

Start with a broad overview, then narrow your search.

Washington Law Help is one example of a resource that provides an overview of a variety of topics. Once you understand the general idea, you can narrow your search to specific cases or statutes. A lot of this information can be found online, but your local law librarian may be able to help find it.

Check Your Sources

The law changes all the time so make sure the law you are reading is current.

This is where law librarians or an attorney might be helpful. Online databases available at the law library can be informative to check whether something has changed. A consultation with an attorney may be more valuable and effective after you have developed a general understanding of the issue, to make sure you are on the right track.

Write It All Down

When you are asking the court to do something, cite the law you found.

Courts have to make decisions based on the law, not on what someone thinks is a good idea. When you ask the court to do something, make sure to include the law that you found that supports your side, along with a way they can find that law (a “citation”).