5 Reliable Sources to Obtain Free Court Case Information
Court case information can be a valuable source of information when researching legal matters. Whether you are an attorney, law student, legal researcher, or simply interested in learning more about a particular case, there are several reliable sources to obtain free court case information.
1. PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)
PACER is a government-run database that provides access to federal court records. It is a reliable source for obtaining court case information as it includes all federal court cases, including records from the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the District Courts. Users can search for cases by party name, case number, or filing date. PACER charges a nominal fee per page for accessing the records, but users can access many court records for free, including docket entries, case calendars, and opinions.
2. State Court Websites
Most state court websites provide a wealth of information regarding court cases. Users can typically search for cases by party name, case number, or filing date. These websites often provide access to court dockets, court calendars, and opinions. Additionally, some states allow users to view court hearings and trials online. State court websites are free to access and are a reliable source for obtaining information about state court cases.
3. Google Scholar
Google Scholar is a free, online database that provides access to legal cases and articles. It is a reliable source for obtaining court case information as it provides access to a wide range of legal documents, including federal and state court opinions, briefs, and articles. Users can search for cases by party name, citation, or keywords. Google Scholar also provides filters to narrow search results by jurisdiction, courts, and case types.
4. Legal Information Institute
The Legal Information Institute (LII) is a non-profit organization that provides free access to legal information. It is a reliable source for obtaining court case information as it provides access to federal and state court opinions, statutes, and regulations. Users can search for cases by party name, citation, or keywords. The LII also offers a feature called “Citation Lookup” that allows users to find a case by citation.
5. CourtListener
CourtListener is a free, online database that provides access to federal court cases and opinions. It is a reliable source for obtaining court case information as it provides access to federal district and appellate court cases and opinions. Users can search for cases by party name, case number, or citation. CourtListener also offers an alert system that notifies users of new court cases or opinions.
In conclusion, obtaining free court case information is possible with the help of reliable sources such as PACER, state court websites, Google Scholar, Legal Information Institute, and CourtListener. These sources provide users access to a wealth of legal information, making it easier for legal professionals and researchers to find valuable insights and information about court cases.
