Third, do not be out of date. Make sure you are reading the most current version of the law. Whenever possible you will want to read the annotations, which help you understand how the law has been handled and applied in the past. They will often state the arguments that effect the usage of the law, and how to defend yourself should it be used against you. They will often cite cases you can then look up and read.
Case law is a very valuable tool, in addition to statutes.
At some point you will still probably need to consult an attorney. The ability to do research on your own will allow you to answer simple questions for yourself, and to help with your own case. Sometimes, it is something you would never bother with calling a lawyer for, but you still want the information. You may have a public defender without the time or initiative to properly advise you. Maybe you just want to see for yourself.