Whether you’re a law student, a lawyer, or a concerned citizen, there are a number of legal resources you can use to help you understand the issues affecting you and your community. Here are some of the most popular legal encyclopedias and guides to help you learn more about what you need to know.
Legal encyclopedias
Whether you’re a beginner in the world of law or an experienced practitioner, legal encyclopedias can help you learn about a new area of law or gain a better understanding of an old one. Typically, they contain summaries of the legal topic with citations to primary and secondary sources. Depending on the specific encyclopedia, you may also find annotations to statutes and court case reporters.
While not as authoritative as court documents or law review articles, legal encyclopedias can be a good place to start when you’re exploring a new area of law. They’re often kept up-to-date with supplements and pocket parts. The most popular legal encyclopedias are the Corpus Juris Secundum (C.E.D.) and American Jurisprudence, 2d. These are available in print and on Westlaw and LexisUni.
Juvenile court petition
Unlike adult criminal court proceedings, juvenile court petitions do not require a jury. The Uniform Rules for Juvenile Courts of Georgia govern the amendment of a juvenile court petition.
Generally, a petition is filed with the court when a youth is deemed delinquent. The purpose of the petition is to determine whether the youth should be adjudicated as a delinquent and transferred to adult court. The judicial decision is made by a juvenile court referee.
The petition is an important charging instrument. A courtesy copy is provided to the respondent and counsel. A videoconference may be used to allow all parties to participate in the hearing.
Jurisprudence
Often referred to as “the study of law,” jurisprudence examines the meaning of law, the nature of the law, and the operation of law in society. It also includes studies of legal principles, theories of economic reasoning, and the study of social groups.
There are four main types of jurisprudence. The first is based on a realist assumption, which believes that the legal system is derived from the fundamentals of natural science. The second school of thought advocates a positivist approach, which argues that the law is derived from the facts of social science. The third seeks to reveal the moral or historical underpinnings of law.
International law
Traditionally, international law has been defined as a collection of rules that govern relations between states. While the United Nations General Assembly cannot officially codify these rules, judicial decisions, treaties, and other sources may be used as secondary means to determine the rules of law.
The origins of international law are found in cooperative agreements in the ancient Middle East. Several Mesopotamian city-states, including Lagash and Umma, signed peace treaties around 2100 BCE. These and other early treaties influenced the development of international law.
In the 18th century, the concept of natural rights was influential in international politics. It remained important during the republican revolutions of the United States.
Election law
Generally speaking, election law is the body of law that governs where and how elections are held, who can run for office, how electoral campaigns are financed, and what voters can expect. It also includes case law and statutes, as well as regulations.
In the United States, the Voting Rights Act has been enacted to ensure that eligible citizens are not denied the right to vote due to discriminatory practices. The Voting Rights Act imposes several requirements on states, including a requirement that polling places be physically accessible to the general public. In addition, the Act mandates the use of ballots and other voting aids for disabled and elderly voters.
Common law
Throughout history, the common law has served as a base for new legislation. It is a body of law based on judicial decisions and legal precedent. Unlike statute law, the common law is not frozen in time and its implications are relevant to the current day.
Unlike civil law, the common law system does not require a consensus for law making authorities. This means that the system is less bureaucratic and can be quicker to enact. Despite its advantages, it can also be problematic for marginalized communities.
The first step in implementing the common law system is to locate relevant cases, statutes, and other analogies. The court system then fills in the gaps between legislation.
