There are a lot of laws out there. How do you find the ones that are relevant to your situation? Where do you even start?
Here are some tips to get you started.
How to find relevant local laws
If you need to find relevant local laws, searching for your city or county's website is a good place to start. Once you're on the website, look for the ordinance section. This is where you will find laws that pertain to your specific city, county, or town. Keep in mind that local laws can change, so it's always a good idea to check back periodically to ensure you are up-to-date.
You can also find local law by looking for your city or county's charter. This document should have a section on municipal codes, which will list all the codes that apply to your area. Once you've found the right section, you can start looking for the ones that apply to your situation. This can be a time-consuming process, but it's worth it to ensure you comply with all the relevant laws.
Law libraries are also great resources for finding relevant laws. You can use the library's online catalog to search for laws by keyword, subject, or title. You can also browse the shelves for law books that might be relevant to your research. Once you've found a few relevant laws for your topic, you can read them to see if they apply to your situation.
Many online legal databases can be used to find your local laws. The most popular ones are LexisNexis and Westlaw. They both have comprehensive collections of laws, regulations, and court opinions. To use either of them, you'll need to create an account and, likely, signup for a subscription. Once you have an account, you can use the search bar to find the laws you're looking for.
How to find relevant state laws
Talking to a state attorney is the best place to start if you need to find relevant state laws. They will be able to tell you what laws apply to your situation and can help you understand how they work. But lawyers are expensive, and you may think you want to do some research prior to speaking with one.
The best place to start is your state's website if you need to find relevant state laws. Most states have a section on their website dedicated to statutes. You can narrow your search to find the specific statutes you're looking for. Remember, state laws change. So it's always a good idea to check for updates before relying on them.
In addition, there are other resources available to help. Another way to find relevant state laws is to use a legal research service. These services can help you find the laws you're looking for quickly and easily. Again, many online legal databases can also be used to find your state laws. Don't forget the ones mentioned above - LexisNexis and Westlaw
How to use Google to find relevant laws
Googling keywords related to the laws you're looking for is a great way to find relevant information quickly and easily. You can also use Google to find specific laws by searching for the name of the law or the code associated with it.
You can search for specific terms like "fraud laws" or "fraud regulations" to find results that are relevant to your query. Once you have a results list, read through it to find the necessary information. Remember that some laws may be more relevant to your needs than others, so you may need to do some additional research to find the most applicable to your situation. This can also be a place where an attorney can offer helpful clarification.
If you need to find a state law, search for the name of the state and the word "statutes." You'll get a list of results that you can narrow by date, relevance, or source. If you need to find a local law, search for the name of the city or county plus the word “ordinances.” These two words are the key to finding what rules your local and state governments use to govern.
By following the tips above, you can be sure that you are finding the most relevant laws for your situation. While we can't provide all the answers, we can make sending demand letters and filing small claims cases easier. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
