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Legal Research Centers of West Virginia |
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Why Do Legal Research? |
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When you are involved in a legal dispute, it is important to understand the legal process. There are four courts in the West Virginia system where your case may be heard. Magistrate, Family, Circuit and the Supreme Court. The Circuit Clerk in your county will be able to tell you the forms and procedures needed for filing your case. Once you determine what court will hear your case, you will need to know whether you need to do research in the area of civil or criminal law. These areas of law include many categories. Even if you have an attorney, it can be helpful to research the laws that will be used in deciding your case. This section will show you how to: begin your legal research; read a legal citation; understand the difference between statutes, cases and codes; and know the different areas of case law. |