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This is the kind of information that I would be most interested in. I understand that the legal system is very complex (like a programming language with funky s

This is the kind of information that I would be most interested in. I understand that the legal system is very complex (like a programming language with funky syntax), but there IS a process and there ARE standard ways to go about doing things, even if there are particularities for different locations. I suppose this is the kind of thing you learn in law school or from experience in a courtroom, but there is no reason that it can't be taught outside of those environments. Is there a repository for learning the basics (and maybe more advanced) legal processes? What forms to send to whom, and when, and what to be sure to do, and what to never do? It's learn-able if there is a resource that teaches it. An online Khan Academy-like resource. Or even maybe an educational game. The only lawyer sim I've seen is Phoenix Wright. Sure, I'd still prefer an experienced lawyer to do the driving if something comes up, but I'd feel more confident with some solid legal knowledge of my own.

jarrett 14y ago
Ok, so here goes. This is by no means a suggestion that anyone become an amateur lawyer, practice law without a license, handle a particular case pro se, or do any other such thing. This is just useful info for anyone who might want to learn some law. (Nothing wrong with learning as much about the world as you can.) I'm not aware of any single repository of such information other than law school. But if you're willing to consult multiple sources, you can definitely find the information. For starters, one can always get a copy of the reading lists for various law school classes. You could also look at commercially prepared law school study guides. Pretty much everything you would learn in law school is available in book form, in one place or another. Obviously, law professors and lecturers contribute a great deal of value added in the form of their own experience and idiosyncratic knowledge. But the core material is all written down in various places. Those types of materials will teach you the basics of American law. The next step is to research the statutes and case law in your jurisdiction. That means federal, state, county, and municipal laws. The statutes can be found by Googling, for example, "Illinois Statutes," or "Chicago Municipal Code." As for case law, assuming you don't have a subscription to a legal database, you can use some Google-fu to find articles that address whatever legal question you're researching. You can also buy a "treatise" on the field of law you're researching; they're packed full of case citations. As for court procedure--well, first, let me just say that you probably don't want to litigate your own cases unless you're in small claims court. And even then, having a lawyer really, really helps. But if for some reason you want to learn procedure, that'a a bit harder. There are books specific to individual jurisdictions. Also, courts often publish their own procedural rules. All of this can be found through Google. Again, this won't make you a lawyer, and it won't eliminate the need for one. But I'm a firm believer that anyone can benefit concretely from a solid understanding of the law. There's no better combination than a smart lawyer and a smart client.

jarrett 14y ago

Ok, so here goes. This is by no means a suggestion that anyone become an amateur lawyer, practice law without a license, handle a particular case pro se, or do any other such thing. This is just useful info for anyone who might want to learn some law. (Nothing wrong with learning as much about the world as you can.) I'm not aware of any single repository of such information other than law school. But if you're willing to consult multiple sources, you can definitely find the information. For starters, one can always get a copy of the reading lists for various law school classes. You could also look at commercially prepared law school study guides. Pretty much everything you would learn in law school is available in book form, in one place or another. Obviously, law professors and lecturers contribute a great deal of value added in the form of their own experience and idiosyncratic knowledge. But the core material is all written down in various places. Those types of materials will teach you the basics of American law. The next step is to research the statutes and case law in your jurisdiction. That means federal, state, county, and municipal laws. The statutes can be found by Googling, for example, "Illinois Statutes," or "Chicago Municipal Code." As for case law, assuming you don't have a subscription to a legal database, you can use some Google-fu to find articles that address whatever legal question you're researching. You can also buy a "treatise" on the field of law you're researching; they're packed full of case citations. As for court procedure--well, first, let me just say that you probably don't want to litigate your own cases unless you're in small claims court. And even then, having a lawyer really, really helps. But if for some reason you want to learn procedure, that'a a bit harder. There are books specific to individual jurisdictions. Also, courts often publish their own procedural rules. All of this can be found through Google. Again, this won't make you a lawyer, and it won't eliminate the need for one. But I'm a firm believer that anyone can benefit concretely from a solid understanding of the law. There's no better combination than a smart lawyer and a smart client.