The Constitution was ratified in 1788 when America's needs were different from today. Some laws that were appropriate for those years have been updated, but some are still in need of changes according to present attitudes. Topics for law research papers related to the Constitution can be any of the following: Should drug testing be allowed in schools? When is a search or seizure reasonable? Are 12 persons really needed for a jury? Should prayer be permitted in public schools?
False confessions is a topic appropriate for law research. This can pertain to the reason why an individual would admit to a crime he never committed. The research can emphasize the question of police coercion and how a suspect should be treated during the process of interrogation. Other worthwhile topics include: Should capital punishment be eliminated? How can we expedite the justice system? Does the U.S. justice system need to be reformed to ensure that criminals are punished properly?
Racial and ethnic issues are possible areas appropriate for law research. For example, how to change racially unfair sentencing is worthy of consideration. Other appropriate topics are: Should racial profiling be permitted? How do some television programs perpetuate racial or ethnic stereotypes? Should hate groups be allowed to distribute literature or speak on college campuses? Should immigration laws be changed and if so, how?
With the increasing use of the media as a means of disseminating information, law topics can include ideas such as: Should newspaper reporters be required to name their sources? Do broadcasters and newspaper publishers have the same protection under the law? Should regulation be imposed to make campaign coverage more equitable?
Another topic that might be used for a law research paper is that of gender. An example would be the disparity in salary between men and women. Also possible are the different provisions between the sexes for child care leaves.
Legal documents are often written in technical language. Thus another possible topic is whether or not courts should require that legal documents be written in nontechnical language so that the layman may better understand them.