Visit your local library for more information on local laws. Libraries often contain a copy of local codes and ordinances in the reference section. A local library may also have a small collection of books on popular legal topics such as family law.
Search the Internet. The court and legislature websites of most states provide links to legal resources, such as legal codes, filing instructions and electronic copies of legal forms.
Attend seminars offered by area schools and bar associations. Law schools offer a wide selection of lectures open to both the students and public. These lectures are often free. Bar associations are required to provide continued education classes to lawyers known as "CLEs." CLEs are open to the public but you have to pay to attend. County bar websites generally have a calendar of upcoming CLEs.
Visit the law library at your local circuit court or the state law library. The resources in circuit court libraries vary significantly; however some circuit courts have large collections of material and free access to legal databases. If your circuit court library is not helpful, every state has a state law library where the librarians are trained to assist non-lawyers.
Audit a law class offered by undergraduate institutions or take a law class online. Most liberal arts universities offer a variety of classes on legal topics, particularly in criminal law as part of the criminal justice major.