AUTOMATED RESEARCH SYSTEMS

As you progress in your career as an LN, you will witness that even the legal field is going high tech, Computers are here and the effects of their existence are already being felt. Legal research is fast becoming part of the technological age. Using a system of computerized research can be costly to the user if the right system is not chosen. Even though automated systems are time-savers, a user must be aware of alternatives. The following paragraphs provide you with a brief overview of automated systems. Whether or not your command uses an automated system depends on the attorneys and budget limitations.

Federal Legal Information Through Electronics

Federal Legal Information Through Electronics (FLITE) is an automated legal research system established by the Department of Defense and operated by the Department of the Air Force for use by all federal agencies. FLITE is the best bargain of all the existing systems since its services are available at no cost to judge advocates. FLITE uses computer technology to help federal employees and military members obtain more accurate and comprehensive legal research, saving time and effort. FLITE performs the following services:

l Creates and maintains full-text data bases of legal information

l Provides computer-assisted research to all federal agencies

l Produces and distributes computer-generated research tools such as indexes, digests, and citations

l Provides advisory service to federal, state, and local governments relating to automated legal research systems

FLITE does not give legal opinions or supply legal memorandums. Its role is to provide cases, decisions, statutes, regulations, and other legal References that are relevant to the user's problems.

Other Available Systems

In addition to FLITE, several other automated research systems are available to the legal profession. However, unlike FLITE, they do not fit into the realm of a tight budget. Other available systems such as WESTLAW, LEXIS, and JURIS require a significant cash outlay for installation and continuing expenditures for usage and equipment rental. As a senior LN, you might be tasked with a budget input for your command regarding the use of automated research systems. If so, the cost factor may be the deterrent that prevents your command from using services other than FLITE. However, FLITE research attorneys have access to WEST-LAW, LEXIS, and JURIS as well as other existing systems. Although automated research systems are the coming event in the legal profession, it may be a while before they are the primary research systems in the Navy.

SUMMARY

As you can see, the maintenance of a law library is an important part of your duties as an LN. Your familiarity with the maintenance and upkeep procedures of the law library will help you as a future LN1 or LNC to become more involved in the actual performance of legal research and the preparation of legal writings. Although attorneys are better trained to conduct effective legal research, senior LNs are increasingly being tasked to aid those attorneys in this area. This chapter has described how to carry out legal research by using primary and secondary sources and by citing sources. With a working knowledge of how to use finding tools, you will become an effective paralegal conducting legal research.