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Open-Access Caselaw
Navigating the complexities of Pennsylvania law can be daunting, especially when you're faced with paywalls and subscription fees. Whether you're a student, a legal professional, or a citizen seeking information, access to caselaw is crucial.
Fortunately, there are many options for freely accessible databases online that offer a wealth of caselaw if you are unable to visit Jenkins.
**Please note the websites below are not affiliated with Jenkins Law Library.**
- Caselaw Access Project - Access to state appellate and trial caselaw, including Pennsylvania, available in PDF format.
- CourtListener - This searchable and accessible archive of court data includes both Federal and PA Supreme, Superior, Commonwealth, and Judicial Discipline court coverage.
- Descrybe.ai - Currently includes Pennsylvania Commonwealth, Superior, and Supreme court opinions. Other state opinions are also available. Includes an abstract, an AI summarized opinion, and the original opinion.
- Google Scholar - Make sure the 'Case law' bubble is selected before running your search. While often associated with academic research, Google Scholar is also a powerful tool for finding legal information. It indexes a substantial amount of caselaw, including Pennsylvania decisions. Users can search by keywords, case names, and dates, and the platform often provides links to related cases and legal articles.
- Justia U.S. Law - Justia is a comprehensive legal resource that offers a vast collection of state and federal court opinions. Its Pennsylvania section provides access to a significant number of published opinions, making it a valuable starting point for research. Justia's user-friendly interface and search functionality make it easy to locate relevant cases.
Some tips for effective caselaw research:
- Use precise keywords: Refine your search by using specific legal terms and phrases.
- Use multiple sources: coverage depends on what tools/databases are used. Some will have coverage where others do not and vice versa.
- Always verify the information: When using free sources, double checking that the information is accurate is very important.
If you don't find what you need through these resources, Jenkins Law Library is open for research to the general public for $5/day to do your own research. Jenkins does not have attorneys on site nor can Jenkins staff give legal advice.
