FindLaw website evaluation - Essay Example

The paper aims to present an evaluation of the website http://www.findlaw.com and to provide a three-page narrative discourse that explains in detail what information is contained in this web site.The presented narrative structure would thoroughly review the content and web links and thereby state one’s personal opinion regarding whether or not this web site offers meaningful information for viewers, including students of criminal law and procedure. Website Evaluation: “FindLaw” General Description The home page of the website “FindLaw” presents six general headings such as Learn About the Law; Find a Lawyer; FindLaw Answers; Legal Forms; News; and Blogs.

Upon browsing the home page, one finds that under Find a Lawyer, for example, a search browser offers options to seek a lawyer using a name search, or through typing legal issues or locations. It also offers a tick box where seekers can opt to have a lawyer contact him or her. Under Learn About the Law, there are three sub-topics: the Popular Topics, Legal Topics, Super Lawyers, Knowledge Base, and Legal Video. The popular topics range from accidents and injuries; criminal law; DUI; Employee Rights; Family Law; Real Estate; and Small Business.

Legal topics are more diverse including bankruptcy and debt; car accidents; dangerous products; immigration; and wills, trust, estate planning, among others. The Super Lawyers section offers finding top rated attorneys; while the Legal Video segment shows The Divorce Basics, Medical Malpractice Cases, and Stages of a Criminal Case. Another prominent section, What’s New at FindLaw, offer three separate subtopics such as FindLaw Answers, Legal News and Legal Commentary. There are also Recent Answers indicated with the respective time within which these answers were posted.

Likewise, there is a section entitled Latest FindLaw Consumer Blog Posts of various legal topics across the United States. At the upper right hand side portion is a search option for viewers who are seeking immediate access to topics based on their general description. Right below this portion is the section that states Getting Started at FindLaw, which offers three options: Find Lawyers, Learn about the Law; and Find Answers. There is also the Do It Yourself Legal Documents portion that offers legal forms to be tailored according to the users’ needs.

Finally, the portion below the home page reiterates the major topics: Learn More About, Find a Lawyer, Find Answers, Get Legal Forms, For Lawyers, About Us, Local Lawyers, and Find Us On (Facebook, YouTube, Scibd, and Twitter) portions. A copyright statement follows the abovementioned topics. Parallel to this portion, at the right hand bottom side appears the heading: Are you a legal professional? Two subtopics are offered: Online Marketing Solutions and Download our White Papers. The format and structure of the home page is very professional with highlighted colors of orange for major topics and prompts; blue highlighted sections; and fonts in black and blue within a predominantly white background.

Only the portion below was typecast in gray background with black and gray fonts. Selected pictures and photographs are seen from four major stories: Dad Charged After Car Stolen With Kid Inside; WA Avalanche Shows ‘Sidecountry Skiing’ Risks; Affirmative Action Returns to the Supreme Court; and Couple Gets Married in NC Walmart Where They Met (FindLaw, 2012). Also, there is a photograph of a family of three: a father, mother and a young girl just above the Do It Yourself Legal Documents portion.

Personal Opinion It is one’s personal contention that the website offers comprehensive legal information to viewers, including students of criminal law and procedure. Clicking the criminal law link in Learn About the Law, for example, would generate the information that one “will find definitions for dozens of common crimes, an overview of stages in a typical criminal case, tips on your constitutional rights,