West's Paralegal Today

by Miller, Roger LeRoy; Urisko, Mary Meinzinger

• ISBN13: 9781401810825
• ISBN10: 1401810829
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-07-07
• Publisher: Cengage Learning

Summary

All of the basic areas of paralegal studies are covered in this book. Careers, ethics, professional responsibilities, pretrial preparation, trial procedures, criminal law, legal interviewing, investigation, legal research, computer-assisted legal research, legal analysis, and legal writing. The text also covers introductory information in a number of different areas of substantive law, including business organizations, torts, civil, criminal, family and real estate. This book offers a completely different approach to teaching paralegal skills in the classroom, bridging the gap between classroom learning and on-the-job realities. Exercises at the end of chapters provide opportunities for students to apply the concepts and skills discussed in the chapter. Many of the books' other features were designed specifically to give students a glimpse of the type of situations and demands that they may encounter on the job as professional paralegals.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxv
Introduction to the Student	xliii
Part 1: The Paralegal Profession	1	(140)
Today's Professional Paralegal	2	(22)
Introduction	3	(1)
What Is a Paralegal?	3	(1)
What Do Paralegals Do?	4	(3)
A Sampling of Paralegal Tasks	4	(1)
Paralegals' Duties Vary	4	(1)
The Paralegal at Work---A Hypothetical Case	5	(2)
Paralegals and Technology	7
Ethical Concern: Paralegal Expertise and Legal Advice	5	(2)
Paralegal Education	7	(3)
Educational Options	8	(1)
Curriculum---A Blend of Substantive and Procedural Law	8	(1)
The Role of the AAfPE and ABA in Paralegal Education	8	(1)
Certification	9	(1)
Continuing Legal Education	9	(1)
Paralegal Skills and Attributes	10	(9)
Analytical Skills	10	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Preparing for the CLA Exam	10	(1)
Communication Skills	11	(1)
Featured Guest: Wendy B. Edson, Ten Tips for Effective Communication	12	(2)
Computer Skills	14	(1)
Organizational Skills	14	(1)
Interpersonal Skills	15	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: The Changing Paralegal Workplace	15	(1)
The Ability to Keep Confidences	16	(1)
Professionalism	16	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Interviewing a Client	16	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Trusts and Estates Paralegal	17	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: A Winning Combination	18	(1)
The Future of the Profession	19	(5)
Career Opportunities	24	(42)
Introduction	25	(1)
Where Paralegals Work	25	(4)
Law Firms	25	(1)
Corporations and Other Business Organizations	26	(1)
Government	27	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Contracts Administrator	27	(1)
Legal Aid Offices	28	(1)
Freelance Paralegals	29	(1)
Paralegal Specialties	29	(8)
Litigation Assistance	29	(1)
Personal-Injury Law	30	(1)
Corporate Law	30	(1)
Criminal Law	31	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Working for a Public Defender	31	(1)
Bankruptcy Law	32	(1)
Employment and Labor Law	32	(1)
Estate Planning and Probate Administration	32	(1)
Intellectual Property Law	33	(1)
Ethical Concern: Serving the Interests of Bereaved Clients	33	(1)
Environmental Law	34	(1)
Real Estate Law	34	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Real Estate Paralegal	35	(1)
Family Law	36	(1)
Emerging Specialty Areas	36	(1)
Ethical Concern: Questions about Child Custody	36	(1)
Paralegal Compensation	37	(3)
Compensation Surveys	37	(1)
Job Benefits	38	(1)
Salaries versus Hourly Wages	39	(1)
Federal Law and Overtime Pay	39	(1)
Planning Your Career	40	(1)
Defining Your Long-Term Goals	40	(1)
Short-Term Goals and Job Realities	40	(1)
Locating Potential Employers	41	(3)
Networking	41	(1)
Featured Guest: Anne Geraghty-Rathert, Paralegal Career Planning and Development	42	(2)
Finding Available Jobs	44	(1)
Identifying Possible Employers	44	(1)
Job-Placement Services	44	(2)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Online Job Searching	45	(1)
Marketing Your Skills	46	(12)
The Application Process	46	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: A Career Plan	46	(6)
The Interview	52	(1)
Ethical Concern: ``Gilding the Lily''	53	(2)
The Follow-Up/Thank-You Letter	55	(1)
Job-Hunting Files	56	(1)
Salary Negotiations	57	(1)
Reevaluating Your Career	58	(8)
Career Paths	58	(1)
Creating Opportunities	58	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Conducting a Title Exam	59	(1)
Other Options	60	(6)
Ethics and Professional Responsibility	66	(43)
Introduction	67	(1)
The Regulation of Attorneys	67	(5)
Who Are the Regulators?	67	(1)
Licensing Requirements	68	(1)
Ethical Codes and Rules	69	(1)
Sanctions for Violations	70	(2)
Attorney Ethics and Paralegal Practice	72	(12)
The Duty of Competence	72	(2)
Confidentiality of Information	74	(1)
Ethical Concern: Missed Deadlines	74	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Inadequate Supervision	75	(2)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Client Intends to Commit a Crime	77	(1)
Ethical Concern: Social Events and Confidentiality	78	(1)
Confidentiality and the Attorney-Client Privilege	79	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Is E-Mail ``Confidential''?	79	(1)
Ethical Concern: Personal versus Professional Ethics	80	(1)
Conflict of Interest	81	(3)
The Indirect Regulation of Paralegals	84	(7)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Building an Ethical Wall	84	(1)
Paralegal Ethical Codes	85	(2)
Guidelines for the Utilization of Paralegals	87	(1)
Featured Guest: Lisa L. Newcity, Ten Tips for Ethics and the Paralegal	88	(3)
The Increasing Scope of Paralegal Responsibilities	91	(1)
The Unauthorized Practice of Law	91	(7)
Giving Legal Opinions and Advice	92	(1)
Representing Clients in Court	93	(1)
Disclosure of Paralegal Status	93	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Avoiding UPL Problems	93	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Freelance Paralegal	94	(1)
Paralegals Freelancing for Attorneys	95	(1)
Legal Technicians (Independent Paralegals) and UPL	96	(1)
Ethical Concern: Saying ``If I were you . . .'' and UPL	97	(1)
Should Paralegals Be Licensed?	98	(3)
General Licensing	98	(1)
Limited Licensing	99	(1)
Direct Regulation---The Pros and Cons	99	(1)
Other Considerations	100	(1)
A Final Note	101	(8)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Working for the Attorney Discipline Board	101	(8)
The Inner Workings of the Law Office	109	(32)
Introduction	110	(1)
The Organizational Structure of Law Firms	110	(2)
Sole Proprietorships	110	(1)
Partnerships	111	(1)
Professional Corporations	112	(1)
Law Office Management and Personnel	112	(1)
Employment Policies	113	(4)
Paralegal Profile: Legal Support Supervisor	114	(1)
Performance Evaluations	115	(1)
Employment Termination	116	(1)
Employment Discrimination	116	(1)
Filing Procedures	117	(5)
Client Files	117	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Client File Confidentiality	118	(2)
Work Product Files and Reference Materials	120	(1)
Featured Guest: Ramona P. DeSalvo, Ten Tips for Creating and Maintaining an Efficient File System	120	(2)
Forms Files	122	(1)
Financial Procedures	122	(11)
Fee Arrangements	122	(2)
Ethical Concern: Handling Clients' Questions about Fees	124	(1)
Client Trust Accounts	125	(1)
The Prohibition against Fee Splitting	126	(1)
Billing and Timekeeping Procedures	126	(1)
Ethical Concern: Trust Accounts	126	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Creating a Trust Account	127	(3)
Ethics and Client Billing Practices	130	(1)
Ethical Concern: Back Up Your Work	130	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: A Client Complains about a Bill	131	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Cyberspace Communications	132	(1)
Communicating with Clients	133	(1)
Law Office Culture and Politics	133	(8)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Managing Conflict in the Legal Workplace	134	(7)
Part 2: Introduction to Law	141	(252)
Sources of American Law	142	(35)
Introduction	143	(1)
The Framework of American Law	143	(2)
What Is the Law?	143	(1)
Judicial Approaches to the Law	144	(1)
Primary Sources of American Law	145	(1)
Constitutional Law	145	(3)
The Federal Constitution	145	(2)
State Constitutions	147	(1)
Constitutional Law and the Paralegal	148	(1)
Statutory Law	148	(2)
Developing Paralegal Skills: State versus Federal Regulation	148	(1)
Federal Statutes	149	(1)
State and Local Statutes and Ordinances	149	(1)
Uniform Laws	149	(1)
The Expanding Scope of Statutory Law	149	(1)
Statutory Law and the Paralegal	150	(1)
Administrative Law	150	(3)
Agency Creation and Function	150	(1)
Paralegal Profile: General Law Practice Paralegal	151	(1)
Administrative Law and the Paralegal	152	(1)
Case Law and the Common Law Tradition	153	(13)
Early English Courts of Law	153	(1)
The Doctrine of Stare Decisis	153	(1)
Ethical Concern: Legal Research and Stare Decisis	154	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Cases of First Impression and the Internet	155	(1)
Remedies at Law versus Remedies in Equity	156	(2)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Analyzing a Case for Specific Performance	158	(1)
The Common Law Today	159	(1)
Statutory Law and the Common Law	159	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Statute of Limitations and the Duty of Competence	159	(1)
The Terminology of Case Law	160	(1)
Ethical Concern: What to Do When Someone Asks You about Remedies	161	(1)
Common Law and the Paralegal	162	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Following Up with a Client	162	(1)
The Adversarial System of Justice	163	(1)
Featured Guest: Marci S. Johns, Pro Bono Opportunities and the Paralegal	164	(2)
National and International Law	166	(11)
National Law	166	(1)
International Law	166	(1)
International Law and the Paralegal	167	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Legal and Paralegal Practice in England	168	(9)
The Court System and Alternative Dispute Resolution	177	(35)
Introduction	178	(1)
Basic Judicial Requirements	178	(7)
Types of Jurisdiction	178	(2)
Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts	180	(1)
Jurisdiction in Cyberspace	181	(1)
Venue	182	(1)
Standing to Sue	182	(1)
Judicial Procedures	183	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Choice of Courts: State or Federal?	183	(1)
Basic Judicial Requirements and the Paralegal	184	(1)
Ethical Concern: Meeting Procedural Deadlines	184	(1)
State Court Systems	185	(4)
Trial Courts	186	(1)
Appellate, or Reviewing, Courts	186	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Litigation Paralegal	187	(1)
State Court Systems and the Paralegal	188	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Trial Emergency	188	(1)
The Federal Court System	189	(5)
U.S. District Courts	189	(1)
U.S. Courts of Appeals	189	(1)
The United States Supreme Court	190	(2)
The Federal Court System and the Paralegal	192	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Federal Court Jurisdiction	192	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Filing Court Documents Electronically	193	(1)
Alternative Dispute Resolution	194	(18)
Negotiation	194	(1)
Mediation	194	(1)
Ethical Concern: Electronic Filing and Privacy Issues	195	(2)
Arbitration	197	(1)
Featured Guest: Fernaundra Ferguson, Mediation: Career Opportunities for Paralegals	198	(2)
Ethical Concern: Potential Arbitration Problems	200	(1)
Other ADR Forms	201	(1)
Court-Referred ADR	201	(1)
Providers of ADR Services	202	(1)
Online Dispute Resolution	202	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Arbitrating Commercial Contracts	203	(1)
ADR and the Paralegal	204	(8)
Tort Law and Product Liability	212	(33)
Introduction	213	(1)
The Basis of Tort Law	213	(1)
Intentional Torts	213	(8)
Intentional Torts against Persons	214	(2)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Handling Emotional Distress Claims	216	(2)
Ethical Concern: Online Privacy	218	(2)
Intentional Torts against Property	220	(1)
Negligence	221	(7)
The Duty of Care and Its Breach	221	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Medical Records	222	(1)
Ethical Concern: Malpractice Suits	223	(1)
The Injury Requirement and Damages	224	(1)
Featured Guest: Joseph F. Whalen, The Facts and the Law: The Important Role of the Paralegal in Our Justice System	224	(2)
Causation	226	(1)
Defenses to Negligence	226	(1)
Special Negligence Doctrines and Statutes	227	(1)
Cyber Torts: Defamation Online	228	(1)
Liability of Internet Service Providers	228	(1)
Piercing the Veil of Anonymity	229	(1)
Strict Liability	229	(1)
Abnormally Dangerous Activities	229	(1)
Other Applications of Strict Liability	229	(1)
Product Liability	230	(3)
Product Liability Based on Negligence	230	(1)
Product Liability Based on Misrepresentation	230	(1)
Strict Product Liability	230	(1)
Ethical Concern: Confidentiality and Product Liability	231	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Online Access to Information in Product Liability Suits	232	(1)
Defenses to Product Liability	233	(1)
Assumption of Risk	233	(1)
Product Misuse	233	(1)
Comparative Negligence	233	(1)
Commonly Known Dangers	233	(1)
Tort Law and the Paralegal	233	(12)
Paralegal Profile: Product Liability Paralegal	234	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Product Liability Paralegals	235	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Developing a Life-Care Plan	236	(9)
Contracts and Intellectual Property Law	245	(37)
Introduction	246	(1)
Requirements to Form a Valid Contract	246	(6)
Agreement	246	(2)
Consideration	248	(2)
Capacity	250	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Contract Forms	250	(1)
Legality	251	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Assessing Capacity	251	(1)
Defenses to Contract Enforceability	252	(2)
Genuineness of Assent	252	(1)
Ethical Concern: Potential Conflicts of Interest	253	(1)
The Statute of Frauds	254	(1)
Sales Contracts and Warranties	254	(3)
The Scope of UCC Article 2	255	(1)
Warranties under the UCC	256	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Contract Review	256	(1)
Contract Performance and Remedies	257	(2)
Contract Performance	257	(1)
Contract Remedies	257	(2)
Remedies for Breach of Sales Contracts	259	(1)
Electronic Contracting and Electronic Signatures	259	(3)
Online Offers and Acceptances	259	(1)
E-Signatures	260	(1)
State Laws Governing E-Signatures	261	(1)
Federal Law on E-Signatures and E-Documents	262	(1)
Contract Law and the Paralegal	262	(1)
Intellectual Property Law	263	(19)
Patents	264	(1)
Copyrights	265	(1)
Ethical Concern: Intellectual Property and Confidentiality	265	(1)
Featured Guest: Deborah E. Bouchoux, Strategies for Protecting Intellectual Property: The Intellectual Property Audit	266	(2)
Trademarks and Related Property	268	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Intellectual Property Paralegal	269	(1)
Trade Secrets	270	(1)
Intellectual Property and the Paralegal	271	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Trademark Searches	272	(10)
Real Property, Estates, and Family Law	282	(39)
Introduction	283	(1)
Real Property	283	(10)
Ownership Rights in Property	283	(1)
The Transfer and Sale of Real Property	284	(4)
Leases	288	(1)
Ethical Concern: Accurate Paperwork and the Sale of Real Estate	288	(2)
Paralegal Profile: Real Estate Paralegal	290	(1)
Property Law and the Paralegal	291	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Reviewing the Closing Package	292	(1)
Wills, Trusts, and Estates	293	(7)
Wills	293	(1)
Ethical Concern: Wills and Paralegal Supervision	293	(1)
Featured Guest: John D. DeLeo, The Paralegal's Relationship to the Law	294	(2)
Trusts	296	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Drafting a Client's Will	296	(2)
Other Estate-Planning Devices	298	(1)
Estate Administration	298	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Online Help for Estate Planning	299	(1)
Wills, Trusts, and Estates and the Paralegal	300	(1)
Family Law	300	(21)
Marriage Requirements	301	(1)
Common Law Marriages	301	(1)
Marital Duties	302	(1)
Parental Rights and Obligations	302	(1)
Ethical Concern: Dealing with Spousal Abuse	303	(1)
Adoption	304	(2)
Marriage Termination	306	(1)
Child Custody	307	(1)
Child Support	308	(1)
Spousal Support	309	(1)
Property Division	309	(1)
Prenuptial Agreements	310	(1)
Family Law and the Paralegal	310	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Family Law Specialists: Investigations	311	(10)
Agency, Business Organizations, and Employment	321	(36)
Introduction	322	(1)
Agency Law	322	(3)
Employees and Independent Contractors	322	(1)
Agency Formation	322	(1)
Fiduciary Duties	323	(1)
Agency Relationships and Third Parties	323	(2)
Agency Law and the Paralegal	325	(1)
Forms of Business Organization	325	(17)
Sole Proprietorships	325	(3)
Partnerships	328	(3)
Corporations	331	(6)
Limited Liability Organizations	337	(5)
Business Organizations and the Paralegal	342	(1)
Employment Law	342	(15)
Employment at Will	343	(1)
Wrongful Discharge	343	(1)
Labor Laws	343	(1)
Family and Medical Leave	344	(1)
State Workers' Compensation Laws	345	(1)
Employment Discrimination	346	(1)
Employment Law and the Paralegal	347	(10)
Administrative Law and Government Regulation	357	(36)
Introduction	358	(1)
Administrative Law	358	(12)
Types of Administrative Agencies	358	(2)
Agency Powers	360	(4)
Administrative Process	364	(4)
State Administrative Agencies	368	(1)
Paralegal Practice before Administrative Agencies	368	(1)
Administrative Law and the Paralegal	369	(1)
Consumer Law	370	(7)
Deceptive Advertising	370	(2)
Labeling and Packaging Laws	372	(1)
Sales Transactions	372	(1)
Consumer Health and Safety	372	(2)
Consumer Credit Protection	374	(2)
Consumer Law and the Paralegal	376	(1)
Environmental Law	377	(16)
Common Law Actions	377	(1)
Federal Regulation of the Environment	377	(1)
Air Pollution	378	(1)
Water Pollution	379	(1)
Toxic Chemicals	380	(2)
State and Local Regulation	382	(1)
Environmental Law and the Paralegal	382	(11)
Part 3: Legal Procedures and Paralegal Skills	393	(322)
Civil Litigation---Before the Trial	394	(52)
Introduction	395	(1)
Civil Litigation---A Bird's Eye View	395	(2)
Pretrial Settlements	395	(1)
Procedural Requirements	396	(1)
A Hypothetical Lawsuit	396	(1)
The Preliminaries	397	(2)
The Initial Client Interview	397	(1)
Preliminary Investigation	398	(1)
Creating the Litigation File	398	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Unauthorized Practice of Law	398	(1)
The Pleadings	399	(15)
Developing Paralegal Skills: File Workup	399	(1)
Drafting the Complaint	400	(5)
Filing the Complaint	405	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Federal Court Rules---Creating a Complaint Checklist	405	(1)
Service of Process	406	(3)
The Defendant's Response	409	(4)
The Scheduling Conference	413	(1)
Amending the Pleadings	414	(1)
Pretrial Motions	414	(3)
Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings	414	(1)
Motion for Summary Judgment	415	(1)
Ethical Concern: Deadlines and the Duty of Competence	416	(1)
Traditional Discovery Tools	417	(12)
Paralegal Profile: Litigation Paralegal	417	(1)
Interrogatories	418	(1)
Ethical Concern: Keeping Client Information Confidential	418	(1)
Depositions	419	(1)
Featured Guest: P. David Palmiere, Ten Tips for the Effective Use of Interrogatories	420	(6)
Requests for Production and Physical Examination
Developing Paralegal Skills: Deposition Summaries	428	(3)
Requests for Admission	429	(1)
The Duty to Disclose under FRCP 26	429	(4)
Initial Disclosures	430	(1)
Failure to Disclose	431	(1)
Discovery Plan	431	(1)
Subsequent Disclosures	431	(2)
Discovery of Electronic Evidence	433	(13)
The Advantages of Electronic Evidence	433	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Electronic Discovery	434	(2)
The Sources of Electronic Evidence	436	(1)
The Special Requirements of Electronic Evidence	436	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Witness Coordination	437	(9)
Conducting Interviews and Investigations	446	(42)
Introduction	447	(1)
Planning the Interview	447	(4)
Know What Information You Want to Obtain	447	(3)
Recording the Interview	450	(1)
Interviewing Skills	451	(4)
Interpersonal Skills	451	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: The Tape-Recorded Interview	451	(1)
Questioning Skills	452	(2)
Listening Skills	454	(1)
Interviewing Clients	455	(5)
Featured Guest: Daniel G. Cantone, Ten Tips for Effective Client-Centered Interviewing	456	(2)
The Initial Client Interview	458	(1)
Subsequent Client Interviews	458	(1)
The Informational Interview	458	(1)
Summarizing the Interview	459	(1)
Interviewing Witnesses	460	(5)
Types of Witnesses	460	(1)
Ethical Concern: Handling Client Documents	460	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Unauthorized Practice of Law	461	(1)
Ethical Concern: Keeping the Client Informed	462	(1)
Questioning Witnesses	463	(1)
Checking a Witness's Qualifications	463	(1)
Winding Up the Interview	464	(1)
Witness Statements	464	(1)
Planning and Conducting Investigations	465	(23)
Where Do You Start?	465	(1)
Creating an Investigation Plan	466	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Keeping an Evidence Log	467	(4)
Locating Witnesses	471	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Online Medical Research	472	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Insurance Paralegal	473	(1)
Accessing Government Information	474	(1)
Investigation and the Rules of Evidence	474	(2)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Accessing Government Information	476	(1)
Summarizing Your Results	477	(2)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Interviewing a Client	479	(9)
Trial Procedures	488	(34)
Introduction	489	(1)
Preparing for Trial	489	(6)
Contacting and Preparing Witnesses	489	(4)
Exhibits and Displays	493	(1)
The Trial Notebook	493	(2)
Pretrial Conference	495	(3)
Jury Selection	498	(3)
Voir Dire	498	(1)
Challenges during Voir Dire	499	(2)
The Paralegal's Role during Voir Dire	501	(1)
Alternate Jurors	501	(1)
The Trial	501	(9)
Opening Statements	502	(1)
The Plaintiff's Case	503	(3)
Motion for a Directed Verdict	506	(1)
The Defendant's Case	506	(2)
Closing Arguments	508	(1)
Jury Instructions	508	(2)
The Verdict	510	(1)
Posttrial Motions and Procedures	510	(3)
Posttrial Motions	510	(1)
Appealing the Verdict	511	(2)
Enforcing the Judgment	513	(9)
Criminal Law and Procedures	522	(47)
Introduction	523	(1)
What Is a Crime?	523	(3)
Key Differences between Civil and Criminal Law	523	(2)
Civil Liability for Criminal Acts	525	(1)
Classifications of Crimes	525	(1)
Jurisdiction over Crimes	526	(1)
Elements of Criminal Liability	526	(3)
The Criminal Act	526	(1)
State of Mind	527	(1)
Corporate Criminal Liability	527	(1)
Defenses to Criminal Liability	528	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Year-and-a-Day Defense	528	(1)
Types of Crimes	529	(6)
Violent Crime	530	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Criminal Law Paralegal	530	(1)
Property Crime	531	(1)
Public Order Crime	532	(1)
White-Collar Crime	533	(1)
Organized Crime	534	(1)
Cyber Crime	535	(2)
Cyber Theft	535	(1)
Cyber Stalking	536	(1)
Hacking	536	(1)
Prosecuting Cyber Crimes	536	(1)
Constitutional Safeguards	537	(2)
The Exclusionary Rule	538	(1)
The Miranda Rule	538	(1)
Criminal Procedures Prior to Prosecution	539	(7)
Arrest and Booking	541	(1)
Featured Guest: Pamela Poole Weber, Paralegals and Criminal Litigation	542	(2)
Investigation after the Arrest	544	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: The Prosecutor's Office---Warrant Division	544	(2)
The Prosecution Begins	546	(9)
Complaint and Initial Appearance	547	(1)
Preliminary Hearing	548	(1)
Grand Jury Review	549	(1)
Arraignment	549	(1)
Pretrial Motions	550	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Ethics of Plea Bargaining	551	(3)
Discovery	554	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Discovery in the Criminal Case	554	(1)
The Trial	555	(14)
The Presumption of Innocence	555	(1)
Ethical Concern: Preparing Exhibits for Trial	555	(1)
The Privilege against Self-Incrimination	556	(1)
The Right to a Speedy Trial	556	(1)
The Requirement for a Unanimous Verdict	556	(1)
Sentencing	556	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Trial Graphics	557	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Benefits of Good Record Keeping	558	(1)
Diversion	559	(1)
Appeal	559	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Working for the District Court	560	(9)
Legal Research and Analysis	569	(60)
Introduction	570	(1)
Primary and Secondary Sources	570	(1)
Researching Case Law---The Preliminary Steps	570	(4)
Defining the Issue	571	(1)
Ethical Concern: Efficiency in Research	571	(1)
Determining Your Research Goals	572	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Defining the Issues to Be Researched	573	(1)
Secondary Sources of Case Law	574	(13)
Legal Encyclopedias	574	(3)
Case Digests	577	(5)
Paralegal Profile: Litigation Paralegal	582	(1)
Annotations: American Law Reports	583	(1)
Treatises	584	(1)
Restatements of the Law	585	(1)
Legal Periodicals	585	(2)
The Case Reporting System	587	(10)
Featured Guest: E. J. Yera, Ten Tips for Effective Legal Research	588	(2)
State Court Decisions	590	(1)
Ethical Concern: Avoiding Plagiarism	590	(2)
Federal Court Decisions	592	(1)
United States Supreme Court Decisions	592	(4)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Looking Ahead	596	(1)
Analyzing Case Law	597	(7)
The Components of a Case	597	(5)
Analyzing Cases	602	(1)
Summarizing and Briefing Cases	603	(1)
Researching Statutory Law	604	(5)
The Publication of Federal Statutes	605	(1)
Ethical Concern: Citing Sources	605	(1)
The United States Code	606	(1)
Unofficial Versions of the Federal Code	607	(2)
State Codes	609	(1)
Analyzing Statutory Law	609	(5)
Reading Statutory Law	609	(2)
Interpreting Statutory Law	611	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Interpreting Statutes	612	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Researching the U.S.C.A.	613	(1)
Researching Administrative Law	614	(1)
The Code of Federal Regulations	615	(1)
Publication of the C.F.R.	615	(1)
Finding Tools for Administrative Law	615	(1)
Finding Constitutional Law	615	(1)
Updating the Law---Learning to Use Citators	616	(13)
Case Law	616	(1)
Statutory and Constitutional Law	617	(2)
Administrative Regulations	619	(1)
Legal Periodicals	619	(1)
Ethical Concern: The Importance of Finding Current Law	619	(1)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Mapping Out a Research Strategy	620	(1)
Online Citators	621	(8)
Computer-Assisted Legal Research	629	(42)
Introduction	630	(1)
CD-ROMs and Legal Research	630	(1)
Advantages of Using CD-ROMs	630	(1)
Disadvantages of Using CD-ROMs	631	(1)
Westlaw® and Lexis®	631	(8)
Featured Guest: Brent Roper, Keeping Current on Computer Technology	632	(2)
Accessing Westlaw® or Lexis®	634	(1)
Retrieving a Document by Citation	634	(1)
Checking a Citation	635	(1)
Selecting a Database	635	(1)
Searching a Database	636	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Cite Checking on Westlaw®	636	(1)
Ethical Concern: Cutting the Cost of Legal Research	637	(1)
Browser Enhancements	638	(1)
Going Online---Internet Basics	639	(16)
What Is the Internet?	639	(1)
Internet Tools	639	(1)
Accessing the Internet	640	(1)
Navigating the Internet	641	(4)
Conducting Online Research	645	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Conducting Legal Research on the Internet	645	(1)
A Threshold Question: Is the Internet the Right Research Tool for Your Project?	646	(1)
Plan Ahead---Analyze the Facts and Identify the Issues	647	(1)
Online Research Strategies	648	(1)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Medical Research on the Internet	648	(3)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Creative Online Searching	651	(1)
Ethical Concern: Surfing the Web	652	(1)
Evaluating What You Find	653	(1)
Updating Your Results	654	(1)
Locating People and Investigating Companies	655	(3)
Finding People	655	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Litigation Paralegal and Web Site Designer	656	(1)
Investigating Companies	657	(1)
Some of the Best Legal-Resource Sites on the Internet	658	(13)
Basic Resources	659	(1)
Ethical Concern: Finding Ethical Opinions on the Web	660	(1)
University Sites	661	(1)
Government Sites	662	(1)
Sites for Associations and Organizations	662	(1)
Free Commercial Sites	663	(2)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Locating Guardians and Wards	665	(6)
Legal Writing: Form and Substance	671	(44)
Introduction	672	(1)
Legal Writing---The Preliminaries	672	(1)
Understanding the Assignment	672	(1)
Time Constraints and Flexibility	672	(1)
Writing Approaches	673	(1)
The Importance of Good Writing Skills	673	(9)
Featured Guest: Richard M. Terry, Ten Tips for Effective Legal Writing	674	(2)
Organize and Outline Your Presentation	676	(1)
Write to Your Audience	677	(1)
Avoid Legalese: Use Everyday English	677	(1)
Technology and Today's Paralegal: Online ``Plain-English'' Guidelines	678	(1)
Be Brief and to the Point	679	(1)
Writing Basics: Sentences	679	(1)
Writing Basics: Paragraphs and Transitions	680	(1)
Be Alert for Sexist Language	680	(1)
Proofread and Revise Your Document	681	(1)
Pleadings and Discovery	682	(1)
Ethical Concern: Ethics and Time Management	682	(1)
General Legal Correspondence	683	(7)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Effective Editing	683	(1)
General Format for Legal Correspondence	684	(2)
Types of Legal Letters	686	(1)
Ethical Concern: ``Confidential'' Correspondence	686	(4)
The Legal Memorandum	690	(8)
Developing Paralegal Skills: Writing to Clients	690	(2)
Ethical Concern: Letters and the Unauthorized Practice of Law	692	(1)
Heading	693	(1)
Statement of the Facts	693	(1)
Paralegal Profile: Litigation Paralegal	693	(2)
Questions Presented	695	(1)
Brief Conclusion	695	(1)
Discussion and Analysis	695	(1)
Ethical Concern: Objectivity and the Legal Memorandum	696	(2)
Conclusion	698	(1)
The Appellate Brief	698	(17)
Types of Appellate Briefs	698	(1)
Writing an Effective Appellate Brief	699	(7)
Today's Professional Paralegal: Preparing the Internal Memorandum	706	(9)
Appendix A NALA's Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility	715	(2)
Appendix B NALA's Model Standards and Guidelines for the Utilization of Legal Assistants	717	(4)
Appendix C NFPA's Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility and Guidelines for Enforcement	721	(10)
Appendix D The ABA's Model Guidelines for the Utilization of Legal Assistant Services	731	(12)
Appendix E Paralegal Ethics and Regulation: How to Find State-Specific Information	743	(2)
Appendix F Paralegal Associations	745	(4)
Appendix G State and Major Local Bar Associations	749	(6)
Appendix H Information on NALA's CLA and CLAS Examinations	755	(8)
Appendix I Information on NFPA's PACE Examination	763	(4)
Appendix J The Constitution of the United States	767	(16)
Appendix K Spanish Equivalents for Important Legal Terms in English	783	(6)
Glossary	789	(18)
Index	807