HLS home > library > services > research > guides > united_states > basics

Finding Records & Briefs

Legal researchers often review the records and briefs of a case for insights into the legal reasoning and authorities used by the parties in advocating their positions. The records of a case may include pleadings, motions, trial transcripts, orders, instructions to juries, judgments and other materials. What is actually included in the published record for each case varies widely.

Depending on the court and time period involved, it may be difficult to track down the records and briefs for a particular case. Please visit the Reference Desk for assistance if you are unable to locate the records and briefs for your case. The very useful A Union List of Appellate Court Records and Briefs: Federal and State by Michael Whiteman and Peter Scott Campbell (Reference Desk KF 105.9 .W49 1999) describes what libraries hold what records and briefs, and whether they are available for interlibrary loan. You may also want to consult Free and Fee Based Appellate Court Briefs Online, a web-based article by Michael Whiteman with links to many sources for briefs.

If we are unable to find a source for the records and briefs you need, you may have to contact the court or the parties to request copies. Although records and briefs are part of the public record, be aware that courts traditionally charge a fee to make copies.

Selected sources for records and briefs are organized below by jurisdiction and court. The records and briefs are available in a number of formats including paper, microform, pdf and online through such services as LexisNexis and Westlaw. The Library's Microform Collection is located on the second floor (entry level) on the north side of the Library directly across from the computer classroom. Drawers are numbered. Printing is free.

Please contact the Langdell reference desk, (617) 495-4516, located just off the reading room on the fourth floor of Langdell Hall with any questions.


U.S. Supreme Court Records, Briefs & Oral Arguments

U.S. Supreme Court Records & Briefs in the Library

Landmark Briefs and Arguments of the Supreme Court of the United States
Years Covered: 1792 to present (very selective)
Location: Reading Room KF 101.8 .K87
Contents: Extremely selective, this print set contains the briefs for only four or five U.S. Supreme Court cases per term. Joint appendices are not included. For the earliest cases, only a summary of the oral arguments is given; later cases have more complete records and briefs. The names of the cases included appear on each volume's spine for easy reference.

Appellate Case Files of the Supreme Court of the United States
Years Covered: 1792-1831 (volumes 2-33 U.S. Reports)
Location: Microform Room Drawers 877-878
Contents: The appellate case files on microfilm include transcripts of records from lower courts, petitions for writs of error or certiorari, exhibits, depositions, motions orders, correspondence, and a few briefs. Cases are arranged in docket number order.
Guide: Guide to the Appellate Case Files is available on the Microforms reference shelves (Mic Ref US 503).
Index: The Index to the Appellate Case Files, available on microfilm, is located in drawer 878 near the end of the set.

The Records and Briefs of the Supreme Court of the United States
Years Covered: 1832-1915 (volumes 31-241 U.S. Reports)
Location: Microform Room Drawers 879-890
Contents: This microfilm set includes both cases receiving a full opinion and those denied certiorari by the Court. The early years of this set are difficult to use as the materials are handwritten. From 1832-1871, this set is arranged by docket number; between 1871 and 1915, it is organized by U.S. Reports cite. The first volume of each term contains an alphabetical listing of cases.
Index: An index is located on the Microform Room reference shelves (Mic Ref US 503 UNI).

Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court
Years Covered: 1881-1977 (volumes 105-433 U.S. Reports)
Location: Harvard Depository (Consult Reference for retrieval instructions)
Contents: This large but incomplete print collection provides extensive coverage of records and briefs of cases before the Court and is not limited to cases receiving a full opinion. In order to retrieve the correct volume from storage, bring the citation of the case in the U.S. Reports, the docket number, or the name of the case to the Reference Desk.

The Records and Briefs of the Supreme Court of the United States
Years Covered: 1914 to present (volume 235 U.S. Reports to present)
Location: Microform Room Drawers 907-941
Contents: This microfiche set includes copies of records and briefs from 1914 to the present. For 1914 to 1976, this set contains only those cases that received a full opinion from the Court. This set is organized by docket number.
Index: A case name to docket number index is located in drawer 179. There is a finding aid and shelf list for cases from 1914 to 1976 located on the Microforms Room reference shelves.

U.S. Supreme Court Records & Briefs Online

U.S. Supreme Court Records and Briefs 1832-1978 (Harvard ID and PIN required)
A full-text searchable database of about 150,000 Supreme Court cases, most of which did not receive a full opinion from the Court.

FindLaw U.S. Supreme Court Briefs
Years Covered: October 1999 to present
Contents: Selected briefs for cases granted certiorari. The briefs are organized by Term and then alphabetically by first-party case name. PDF, RTF and Text formats.

Supreme Court of the United States Merit Briefs
Years Covered: October 2003 to present
Contents: Briefs filed by the parties in every case slated for oral argument. Organized by first-party case name and by argument date. Does not include amicus briefs or joint appendices. PDF format.

Yale University Curiae Project
Years Covered: Selected cases
Contents: The Curiae Project provides Supreme Court records, briefs, oral argument transcripts, and other relevant materials for selected cases. Cases are selected based on a ranking developed from citation data in historical and constitutional texts. PDF format.

SCOTUSblog
Years Covered: Very current cases
Contents: Excellent source for very recent briefs. Searchable archive. Focuses on issues before the Supreme Court of the United States and other federal courts. pdf.

LexisNexis U.S. Supreme Court Briefs
Years Covered: January 1979 to present
Contents: Beginning with the October 1993 Term, includes merit briefs only for cases granted certiorari and special masters. Prior to the October 1993 Term, includes all briefs for cases granted certiorari including joint appendices and selected special masters. Includes selected petitions for writs of certiorari. Plain text with star pagination. (LexisNexis ID required.)

Westlaw U.S. Supreme Court Briefs
Years Covered: October 1990 to present
Contents: Includes merit briefs and amicus briefs for cases in which certiorari has been granted or probable jurisdiction has been noted and for which oral argument has been scheduled. Coverage of merits briefs begins with the October 1990 Term. Coverage of amicus briefs begins with the October 1995 Term. Plain text with star pagination. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Supreme Court Briefs Extension
Years Covered: 1870-1975 (selected cases), 1976 to 1990 (selected briefs)
Contents: Selected briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court for cases from 1976-1990, with selected coverage from 1870-1975. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Supreme Court Briefs Multibase
Years Covered: 1870 to present (selective until 1990)
Contents: A multibase of all briefs available on Westlaw filed with the U.S. Supreme Court. Plain text with some star pagination. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw Petitions for Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective)
Contents: Petitions for writs of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court and related documents, such as briefs in opposition and support of the petitions and amicus briefs. Selected coverage begins in 1990 for granted petitions and 1995 for denied petitions. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Supreme Court Joint Appendices
Years Covered: Current Term (selective)
Contents: Selected joint appendices filed in the U.S. Supreme Court. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw Briefs Multibase
Years Covered: Varies by source
Contents: Includes all briefs available on Westlaw including briefs filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, Petitions for Writ of Certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, and briefs filed with the U.S. Courts of Appeals. Also includes the state court briefs for the states available on Westlaw. Plain text with some star pagination. (Westlaw password required.)

U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument Transcripts

The Complete Oral Arguments of the Supreme Court of the United States
Years Covered: 1952 to present
Location: Microform Room Drawer 946
Contents: From 1952 to 1968, this microfiche set contains a limited selection of oral arguments. From 1969 to the present, most oral arguments are available. This set is organized by docket number.
Index: A docket-number-to-call-number index covering October1989 to present is located in drawer 946. A case name index covering 1969-1987 is located on the Microform Room reference shelves (US 503 COM).

LexisNexis United States Supreme Court Transcripts
Years Covered: October 1979 to present
Contents: Transcripts of oral argument in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. Plain text. (LexisNexis ID required.)

Westlaw Transcripts of U.S. Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Years Covered: October 1990 to present
Contents: Transcripts of oral arguments in cases heard before the U.S. Supreme Court. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

United States Supreme Court Argument Transcripts
Years Covered: October 2000 to present
Contents: Archive of oral argument transcripts. New transcripts are posted within 10-15 business days after the close of the argument session. Arranged by Term and argument date. PDF format.

Oyez Project
Years Covered: 1995 to present (selected audio 1955-1995)
Contents: The Oyez Project provides access to more than 2,000 hours of U.S. Supreme Court digitized audio. All audio recorded since 1995 is included. Before 1995, the audio collection is selective. Locate audio using the advance search function or case list by subject. SMIL and MP3 formats.

U.S. Courts of Appeals Records, Briefs & Petitions

Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1976 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs from previous years may be included.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Courts of Appeals for the First Circuit. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
Years Covered: 1974 to present (Docket numbers 74-1001 to present)
Location: Microform Room Drawers 1027-1032.
Contents: Records and briefs from 1974 forward arranged by docket number. Materials from the latest two terms are available in the Microforms Room. Materials from prior terms may be retrieved from the Harvard Depository. (Currently four years out of date.)
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Briefs, with coverage of briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Second Circuit, from 1981 to present. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1982 to present.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Third Circuit. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1976 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs from years prior to 1976 may be included.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Fourth Circuit. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1972 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs from years prior to 1972 may be included.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Fifth Circuit. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Oral Argument Recordings, United States Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
Contents: Search by docket number only. Does not include criminal cases. Personal information may be redacted in conformance with the Judicial Conference Privacy Policy. pdf and mpg formats.
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit Briefs, with coverage of briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, from 1987 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1987 may be included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Oral Argument Recordings, United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
Contents: Search by case number, party or attorney name, or keyword. Does not include criminal cases. Personal information may be redacted in conformance with the Judicial Conference Privacy Policy. pdf and ram formats.
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Briefs , with coverage of briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, from 1980 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1980 may be included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Years Covered: 1985-1988 (775 F2d 1037-857 F2d 676)
Location: Microform Room Drawer 1035
Contents: This very limited set only covers cases that received a full opinion and were reported in 775 F2d 1037 through 857 F2d 676. Materials are filed by Federal Reporter citation.
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit Briefs , with coverage of briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, from 1973 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1973 may be included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
Availability Online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 2000 to present.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, from 2000 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 2000 may be included. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1980 to present.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, from 1980 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1980 may be included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Records and Briefs of the United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit
Years Covered: 1972 to 1992 (Docket numbers 72-1283 to 92-7121)
Location: Microform Room Drawer 1018
Contents: Records and briefs from 1972-1992 arranged by docket number. Materials for years prior to 1990 may be retrieved from the Harvard Depository.
Index: Indexes for 1981, 1982 and 1983 are available on the Microform Room reference shelves at US 504 DC.
Availability online: Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Briefs, with coverage of briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit Court, from 1976 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1976 may be included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit Briefs
Years Covered: 1983 to present. Very selective coverage of briefs filed prior to 1983 may be included.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Courts of Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 1972 to present (coverage varies by Circuit)
Contents: This database contains selected briefs filed in the U.S. Courts of Appeals from 1975 to the present. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Westlaw U.S. Court of Appeals Petitions
Years Covered: Varies by jurisdiction.
Contents: Petitions filed with the United States Courts of Appeals, including many different petitions such as petitions for rehearing and petitions for writs, filed with the various United States Courts of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

State Courts Records & Briefs

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Records and Briefs of the Supreme Judicial Court (Microfilm)
Years Covered: 1914 to present
Location: Microform Room Drawers 997-1009
Contents: Records and briefs from cases receiving a full opinion reported in volume 219 of the Massachusetts Reports or higher. Materials are filed alphabetically by case name according to volume. (Currently two years out of date.)

Massachusetts Appeals Court Records and Briefs (Microfilm)
Years Covered: 1972 to present
Location: Microform Room Drawers 1011-1018
Contents: This set covers the records and briefs for cases receiving a full opinion reported in the Massachusetts Appeals Court Reports. They are filed alphabetically by case name according to volume. The set is currently three years out of date.

Westlaw Massachusetts Briefs Multibase
Westlaw Massachusetts Briefs
Westlaw Massachusetts Court of Appeals Briefs
Westlaw Massachusetts Petitions
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective).
Contents: Petitions and briefs filed with the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts as well as briefs filed with the Court of Appeals of Massachusetts. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Arkansas

Westlaw Arkansas Briefs
Westlaw Arkansas Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Arkansas Court of Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 2002 to present.
Contents: All briefs filed with the Arkansas Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, 2002 to present. Includes some closed cases. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

California

Westlaw California Briefs Multibase
Westlaw California Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw California Supreme Court Briefs Extension
Westlaw California Supreme Court Petitions
Westlaw California Court of Appeals Briefs
Westlaw California Court of Appeals Petitions
Westlaw California Recall Election Briefs
Years Covered: 1986 to present (selective)
Contents: Briefs filed for cases that are scheduled to be argued in front of the California Supreme Court, with selected coverage from 1987 to present. Petitions from the California Supreme Court , with selected coverage from 1993 to present. Selected coverage of briefs from the California Court of Appeals, 1986 to present. Petitions from the California Court of Appeal with selected coverage from 1997 to present. California Recall Election briefs are from 2003. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Colorado

Westlaw Colorado Briefs Multibase
Westlaw Colorado Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Colorado Supreme Court Petitions
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective)
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases that are scheduled for argument before the Colorado Supreme Court. Selected Petitions filed with the Colorado Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Delaware

Westlaw Delaware Briefs
Years Covered: 2004 to present.
Contents: Briefs filed with the Delaware Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Florida

Westlaw Florida Briefs All
Westlaw Florida Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Florida Supreme Court Jurisdiction Briefs
Years Covered: 1993 to present (selective).
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases scheduled for argument before the Florida Supreme Court. Selected Briefs on Jurisdiction filed with Florida Supreme Court. Briefs on Jurisdiction are filed in cases invoking the Florida Supreme Court's discretionary jurisdiction and are limited to the issue of jurisdiction. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Georgia

Westlaw Georgia Briefs Multibase
Westlaw Georgia Briefs
Westlaw Georgia Supreme Court Petitions
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective).
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases that are scheduled for argument before the Georgia Supreme Court. Selected petitions filed with the Georgia Supreme Court are included. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Idaho

Westlaw Idaho Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed with the Idaho Supreme Court, including briefs filed with the Idaho Supreme Court that under Rule 10 of the Idaho Rules of Appellate Procedure can be assigned by the Supreme Court to either the Idaho Supreme Court or the Idaho Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Illinois

Westlaw Illinois Briefs Multibase
Westlaw Illinois Briefs
Westlaw Illinois Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Illinois Supreme Court Petitions
Westlaw Illinois Appellate Court Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective).
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases that are scheduled for argument before the Illinois Supreme Court and the Appellate Court of Illinois, First District (Cook County). Petitions filed with the Illinois Supreme Court. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Kansas

Westlaw Kansas Briefs
Westlaw Kansas Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Kansas Court of Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 1994 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Kansas Supreme Court or the Kansas Court of Appeals, 1997 to present. Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Kansas Court of Appeals, selective coverage from 1994 to present. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Kentucky

Westlaw Kentucky Briefs
Years Covered: 1997 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Kentucky Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Maryland

Westlaw Maryland Briefs
Westlaw Maryland Court of Appeals Briefs
Westlaw Maryland Court of Special Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 1995 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Maryland Court of Appeals and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Michigan

Westlaw Michigan Briefs
Years Covered: 2002 to present.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Michigan Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Minnesota

Westlaw Minnesota Briefs
Westlaw Minnesota Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Minnesota Court of Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 2001 to present (some selective coverage from years prior to 2001).
Contents: Briefs filed with Minnesota Supreme Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Mississippi

Westlaw Mississippi Briefs
Years Covered: 2000 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed with the Mississippi Supreme Court, including briefs filed with the Mississippi Supreme Court for cases that, under Rule 16 of the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure, may be assigned by the Supreme Court, to either the Mississippi Supreme Court or the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Missouri

Westlaw Missouri Briefs
Years Covered: 2003 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Missouri Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Montana

Westlaw Montana Briefs
Years Covered: 1999 to present, with selective coverage for previous years.
Contents: Briefs filed with the Montana Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

New York

New York Court of Appeals Records and Briefs (Microfilm)
Years Covered: 1939 to present
Location: Microform Room Drawers 146-154, 170
Contents: This microfilm set covers briefs and records for those cases receiving a full opinion reported in the New York Reports beginning with volume 265. After volume 84 N.Y.2d, there is a gap in coverage to volume 87, at which point the set changed form from film to fiche. The briefs are organized by New York Reports citation. The set is currently six months out of date. Briefs filed prior to 1990 are stored at the Harvard Depository and may be requested at the Circulation Desk.

Westlaw New York Court of Appeals Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective)
Contents: Selected merit briefs filed in cases that are scheduled for argument before the New York Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

HeinOnline New York Court of Appeals Records and Briefs
Years Covered: 1 N.Y.3d 1 to 7 N.Y.3d 830-01
Contents: Includes records and briefs in pdf format from cases reported in the New York Reports. (Harvard ID and PIN required.)

North Carolina

Westlaw North Carolina Briefs
Westlaw North Carolina Briefs Multibase
Westlaw North Carolina Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw North Carolina Supreme Court Petitions
Westlaw North Carolina Appellate Court Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present.
Contents: Briefs and Petitions filed in cases with the North Carolina Supreme Court and briefs filed with the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

North Dakota

Westlaw North Dakota Briefs
Years Covered: 2003 to present (selective).
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the North Dakota Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Ohio

Westlaw Ohio Briefs Multibase
Westlaw Ohio Briefs
Westlaw Ohio Jurisdictional Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective.)
Contents: Briefs, including jurisdictional briefs filed with the Ohio Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Pennsylvania

Westlaw Pennsylvania Briefs
Westlaw Pennsylvania Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Pennsylvania Superior Court Briefs
Westlaw Commonwealth Court Briefs
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective)
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court or the Pennsylvania Superior Court or the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

South Dakota

Westlaw South Dakota Briefs
Years Covered: 2000 to present. Selective briefs may be available for years prior to 2000.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the South Dakota Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Texas

Westlaw Texas Briefs
Westlaw Texas Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Texas Supreme Court Petitions
Westlaw Texas Briefs and Petitions Multibase
Westlaw Texas Petitions Multibase
Westlaw Texas Court of Appeals Briefs
Westlaw Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Briefs
Westlaw Texas Criminal Court of Appeals Petitions
Years Covered: 1990 to present (selective).
Contents: Selected merit briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Texas Supreme Court. Texas Court of Appeals, and Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Petitions from the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Utah

Westlaw Utah Briefs
Years Covered: 2001 to present. Very selective coverage for years prior to 2001.
Contents: Briefs filed in cases scheduled to be argued before the Utah Supreme Court. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Wisconsin

Westlaw Wisconsin Briefs
Westlaw Wisconsin Supreme Court Briefs
Westlaw Wisconsin Appellate Court Briefs
Years Covered: 1993 to present (selective)
Contents: Selected briefs filed in cases that are scheduled for argument before the Wisconsin Supreme Court or the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Multistate

Westlaw State Briefs All
Years Covered: 1970 to present (varies by state)
Contents: All state briefs available on Westlaw. Plain text with some pdf. (Westlaw password required.)

Selected Topical & Fee-Based Sources for Records & Briefs

Selected Topical Sources for Briefs

American Civil Liberties Union Briefs
Contents: Selected briefs filed by the ACLU with the United States Supreme Court.

American Intellectual Property Law Association Amicus Curiae Briefs
Contents: Selected briefs filed by the AIPLA with the United States Supreme Court.

American Psychological Association Amicus Briefs
Contents: Selected briefs filed by the APA with various courts.

Department of Justice Legal Documents
Contents: Selected appellate briefs and documents of the Antitrust Division, Civil Rights Division, and the Office of the Solicitor General of the United States Department of Justice.

Federal Trade Commission Amicus Briefs
Contents: Selected amicus briefs filed by the Federal Trade Commission.

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Law Library
Contents: The Lambda Library contains selected complaints, briefs, decisions, related legislation, and memos of cases in which this organization is involved.

Securities and Exchange Commission Legal Briefs
Contents: Selected briefs filed by the SEC with various courts.

Selected Westlaw Topical Brief Collections

The following Westlaw databases contain selected briefs from federal and, where applicable, state courts of interest to researchers in various legal topics. The Andrews Court Documents database contains selected court documents, including petitions, complaints, briefs, motions, trial court memoranda and other documents from state and federal courts in over 45 areas of litigation such as asbestos, Delaware corporations, environmental, intellectual property, and sexual harassment. Plain text. (Westlaw password required.)

Selected Fee-Based Services for Briefs

BriefReporter
(http://www.briefreporter.com)
Contents: This fee-based service contains legal briefs for state and federal cases submitted by attorneys throughout the country. It is free to search this database but briefs can only be printed for a fee.

BriefServe
(http://www.briefserve.com)
Contents: This fee-based service has briefs from the 1984 term to the present. The briefs are in pdf format. BriefServe charges $25.00 per brief.