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Legal Research

Covering the basics of legal research

Google Scholar for Case Law


Did you know you could use Google Scholar to search both federal and state case law?

From the Google Scholar page, simply click the radial dial for "Case law" and in the search box enter a case citation, case name, or conduct a keyword search that will search the full text of case opinions.

Screenshot of Google Scholar search box showing two options for search type: articles and case law, with case law selected. Radio buttons for federal courts and Maryland courts appear below that, with a select courts link next to them. Arrows have been added pointing to the case law radio button and the select courts link.

You can also limit your search results to federal courts or to specific state courts by clicking the "Select courts" link. This will bring you to a page where you can search within specific states, or even specific courts within a state, as well as specific federal courts including individual circuit courts.

Screenshot of Google Scholar's court selection options

 

 

Library of Congress Google Scholar Case Law Video Tutorial