A paralegal or legal assistant is not permitted to offer legal advice because they are not licensed to practice law.
While paralegals and legal assistants work under the supervision of attorney’s, giving legal advice is out side of their scope. A paralegal or legal assistant who gives legal advice is engaging in the unauthorized practice of law, which is illegal and can result in criminal punishment in some jurisdictions. The job of advising the client must be left to the person licensed to practice law: the attorney. The Paralegal works under an attorney or for a attorney.
The Paralegal is required to have a 2yr Associates degree and then required to take courses such as: Introduction to law, legal research and writing, business law, contract law, criminal law, family law, property law, tort law. So even though they are not able to give legal advise under the Paralegal Certificate from the American Bar Association they are equipped and knowledgable in all area’s of law. The Paralegals can do Research for Attorneys, fill out forms, get documents needed for evidence all kinds of duties depending on the law firm they work for.
Did you know you could take just one course out of the paralegal programs offered at local colleges of your choosing? You could sign up for the class and let the instructor, administration office know you are signing up as no credit student, you are not interested in the paralegal certificate or the grade just picking and choosing classes of interest.
- You can also hire a Paralegal to do piece work for you, look on craigs list, under services , then Legal you will find multiple ads offering there services to fill out court forms for you.
- Some lawyers will also do limited representation, fill out forms, research an area of law ect…
All the Books listed on the right of this page are what the Top Law Colleges in the U.S. use for their Paralegal Studies programs.
All these books offered are used in the Paralegal Studies Programs at local colleges in your area or online courses.
Introduction to Law For Paralegals
Independent Paralegal’s Handbook
How to provide legal services with out being an attorney
Everything you need to run a business preparing legal paperwork for the public (5th edition)
Legal Research & Writing for Paralegals Seventh Edition Oct, 2013
Family Law for Paralegals, Sixth Edition Feb, 2013
Introduction to Paralegal Studies, 5th edition
Business Law for Paralegals Jan, 2012
Basic Bankruptcy Law for Paralegals Oct, 2013
Criminal Law & Procedure for Paralegals
