But I Still Have a Question: Legal Research without a Lawyer

What if you don't think you need a lawyer, but you still have a question? Where and how can you get the answer(s) you need, and how reliable are they? There are many, many places you can turn to, and some of them might not even cost you very much. This next series of posts will address the various ways I think it might be possible to find legal research, and the reasons why you might (and might not) want to pursue them. The possibilities include:

• Google
• Paid research services, such as Lexis, Westlaw, etc.
• Free and non-legal forums (Yahoo! Answers and such sites)
• Legal-specific forums (Avvo and the like)
• In-person opportunities, including lectures and legal advice days
• "Free" consultations with attorneys