The First Place To Go For Legal Research.

Google Scholar. In a legal system based on precedent, every case requires a search for relevant decisions of appellate courts in the past. The farther back, of course, the less precedential value a case will have. But, in a particular State, it is possible to see the path of a particular issue by looking at a chronological chain of cases. If the cases indicate that your State's courts favor your position, you can argue the cases. If not, you can advocate for your Courts to change the law. But, first, you have to figure out what your State's particular cases have to say on an issue. In the old days, long hours were required for the process, sitting in a library filled with books that had to be located in a card catalog, and pulled off the shelves, opened up, and read. Often, the researcher would be seated at a long wooden table, surrounded by piles of books. This iconic image is still used by TV and movies to show legal research. And, in the old day, lawyers paid a lot of money to have a library full of books, and usually could only afford their own State's reporter system, which could be hundreds of volumes. So, let's be crystal clear. For case finding, in 2022, the first place you should go is the Google Scholar website, which searches, in an instant, the case law of all 50 States and all Federal courts. This massive and instantaneous research costs absolutely nothing. Free. Nada. Zip. No more excuses that you can't afford a library. Start with Google Scholar. You can add the edited stuff that costs something later. Now, get out of the library and get some research done.

Comments

[Bob Burguieres]

Just tried Google Scholar first time. Impressed. When my scrip to Thompson fka West expires at $450/month, I may not renew. Also, need tech update. Do you work for food? I know you like Italian . . . and I host dinner for you at restaurant of your choice???

[Richard M Georges]

Certainly. But, I will expect half of what you were paying Thompson/West in addition to dinner.