Can you find case briefs online?
Asked by: Ms. Krystal Waters | Last update: May 2, 2025Score: 4.1/5 (21 votes)
Briefs submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court are available in print, microfiche/film, on commercial online legal research services, and on the Internet.
Are briefs public record?
Briefs, motions, pleadings and related orders are generally the most easily accessible court documents. They can be found in a variety of free and fee-based sources online, as well as in compiled sets of records and briefs (see section III).
How to find case briefs on Lexis?
Lexis+ - Lexis provides a good selection of recent court briefs. One of the ways to search Lexis is to select the Briefs, Pleadings & Motions content type. On the main Lexis page, the Content Types are listed below the Search Box. You can also narrow your search by picking the jurisdiction and practice area.
Where to find briefs on Westlaw?
- Searching for Briefs on Westlaw. From the Westlaw homepage, choose "Briefs" under the "Content Types" menu. ...
- Searching for Briefs on Lexis+ ...
- Searching for Briefs on ProQuest Supreme Court Insight.
How to find a brief?
You can find free copies of briefs filed in U.S. Supreme Court cases by the Solicitor General. You may find briefs filed in state cases on state court websites. The National Center for State Courts maintains a list of state court websites.
How to Do a Case Brief
Does Lexisnexis have case briefs?
You may locate briefs, pleadings, and motions while viewing a case you retrieved on Lexis by looking under Related Court Materials under About This Document. Run the following search to find sample briefs or motions containing summary judgment by using the Briefs or Motions Post Search Filter: Search: summary judg!
Does the Supreme Court read all amicus briefs?
As long as there are new arguments presented, a justice will read the amicus briefs. (C50). Clerks repeatedly emphasized that most amicus briefs filed with the Court are not helpful and tend to be duplicative, poorly written, or merely lobbying documents not grounded in sound argument.
Does Westlaw have public records?
West complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws in the way Westlaw public record databases are created and made available to the public. The databases provide high-quality information to legal professionals for use in investigations, due diligence reviews, and people finding.
Are California appellate briefs available online?
Appellate briefs from the 1990s to the present are available electronically.
Do lawyers use Westlaw?
Westlaw is an online legal research service and proprietary database for lawyers and legal professionals available in over 60 countries.
How do I find relevant cases on Westlaw?
On Westlaw, you can retrieve relevant cases with a keyword search or with West topic and key numbers found in a key number digest. Where Do I Find Cases? All cases published in West reporters (as well as many unpublished cases) can be retrieved on Westlaw.
Can you download cases from Lexis?
Once you have obtained a case, statute or other document on Lexis or Westlaw, you can download it, print it or copy selections of text in electronic format to incorporate into your personal notes.
How do I do a case brief?
- Select a useful case brief format. ...
- Use the right caption when naming the brief. ...
- Identify the case facts. ...
- Outline the procedural history. ...
- State the issues in question. ...
- State the holding in your words. ...
- Describe the court's rationale for each holding. ...
- Explain the final disposition.
Where can I find briefs for Supreme Court cases?
- Westlaw.Court Express. Address: https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/products/court-express. ...
- Proquest. Address: https://supremecourt.proquest.com. ...
- Gale. Address: https://gale.com/c/making-of-modern-law-us-supreme-court-records-and-briefs-1832-1978. ...
- Office of the Solicitor General.
Are trial briefs confidential?
Rule 8.401 of the California Rules of Court makes records and briefs accessible only to the court, parties, appellate projects, and others designated by the court. It also requires additional steps to protect confidentiality, such as the use of first name and last initial, or just initials.
What are briefs in a court case?
A brief is a written argument submitted to the court. Lawyers often prepare briefs which highlight and clarify certain information or provide legal comparisons in an attempt to persuade the courtroom to rule in favor of that lawyer's client.
How do I search for briefs in Westlaw?
Type the docket number in the Search for text box. To narrow your search to specific courts or court of appeals districts, select the check box next to the court (e.g., Supreme Court) or division (e.g., First District) you want to search. Click Search.
How do I find appellate briefs on Lexis?
- Docket Number (preferred) Searching for briefs by docket number is generally preferable to searching by parties' names, since the latter may change. ...
- Parties' Names. You can generally find briefs by searching for the parties' names.
What is the rule of four?
On the face of it, the Supreme Court's “Rule of Four” is straightforward. Where the justices have discretion as to whether to hear an appeal, at least four of the Court's members must vote to grant a writ of certiorari, which facilitates a full review on the merits.
How much does Westlaw cost per search?
Westlaw suggests billing $99 per search, which price includes all the documents clicked on (unless the document is outside of the plan). This is known as "Westlaw Predictable Pricing".
Can you search Westlaw by judge?
Click into either Cases or Trial Court Orders from the Westlaw homepage. Then select the Advanced link to the right of the search bar to go to the template. 2. Under Document Fields, type the name of the judge into the appropriate box.
Do prisoners have access to Westlaw?
Westlaw Correctional is an online legal research plan designed specifically for use by inmates in prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities. It satisfies federal and state requirements for inmate access to legal research materials.
Are amicus briefs pro bono?
The Amicus Project at Southwestern is a first-of-its-kind professional outreach program, enabling law students to gain practical experience by preparing amicus—or "friend of the court"—briefs* on a pro bono basis for cases in which one is needed.
Do judges read briefs?
"Usually, I will come on the bench with my mind made up' said Judge Gage. "I've read the briefs before I come on the bench. I'm usually just looking for counsel to tell me where I'm wrong."
How much do amicus briefs cost?
For most industry groups and other organizations interested in filing amicus briefs, my answer, as an appellate specialist who practices independently, is “less than you might expect—a flat fee between $10,000 and $15,000.” And occasionally, depending on the circumstances, my answer is “nothing but the cost of printing ...