For all levels:
* Law Libraries: Physical law libraries (often at universities or courts) are invaluable. They hold vast collections of legal texts, statutes, and case law not always available online. If you're near a university, check their library's website – many allow outside access.
* Westlaw/LexisNexis: These are subscription-based online legal research databases. Many universities provide student access. They contain case law, statutes, regulations, and scholarly articles. They are the gold standard for legal research, but access is usually limited to those with institutional subscriptions.
* Google Scholar: While not specifically a legal database, Google Scholar indexes a significant number of legal articles, judicial opinions, and legal documents. It's a great starting point for broader research and finding scholarly articles.
* Government Websites: Websites of relevant governmental bodies (e.g., the US Congress, state legislatures, federal agencies) are excellent sources for statutes, regulations, and legislative history. For example, the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) website is a good place to start for federal resources.
* Legal Encyclopedias: Resources like Corpus Juris Secundum (C.J.S.) and American Jurisprudence 2d (Am. Jur. 2d) provide comprehensive overviews of legal topics. Access is typically through law libraries or online subscription services.
For specific areas of law:
You'll need to tailor your search depending on the specific legal area. For example:
* Criminal Law: Look for case law databases, criminal justice journals, and the statutes of the jurisdiction you're researching.
* Constitutional Law: Focus on Supreme Court decisions (accessible through the Supreme Court website), constitutional law casebooks, and scholarly articles.
* Contract Law: Examine contract law casebooks, Restatements of Contracts, and articles on contract law principles.
* International Law: Explore resources from international organizations like the UN, treaties, and scholarly articles on international law.
Tips for Effective Research:
* Understand your assignment's scope: Clearly define the topic and the required depth of analysis before beginning your research.
* Use keywords effectively: Refine your search terms to focus your results. Legal terminology is precise, so use accurate language.
* Evaluate sources critically: Assess the credibility and reliability of your sources. Consider the author's expertise, the publication's reputation, and the date of publication.
* Cite your sources properly: Use a consistent citation style (e.g., Bluebook, ALWD) as required by your instructor.
* Start early: Legal research can be time-consuming. Begin your research well in advance of the deadline.
Remember to always double-check the credibility and relevance of your sources. If you're unsure about a source or need help with legal research methodology, don't hesitate to ask your instructor or a librarian for assistance.