Internet Researcher: Selected U.s. Supreme Court Sources
| Publication year | 2002 |
| Pages | 32-36 |
71 J. Kan. Bar Assn. 4, 32-36 (2002). Internet Researcher: Selected U.S. Supreme Court Sources
71 J. Kan. Bar Ass'n, April. 2002, 32-36 (2002)
The Internet provides a Kansas attorney ready access to a vast array of legal research resources. The purpose of this article is to highlight selected web sites and sources related to the U.S. Supreme Court. Opinions, briefs, oral arguments, docket and other court information and current news stories are a few clicks away. E-mail notification services can alert one to the granting of cert, oral argument, and the release of an opinion. Almost all of the sites mentioned herein are available at no charge.
Official Web Site
In April 2000 the United States Supreme Court initiated its official web site http://www.supremecourtus.gov, which is stocked with a range of research aids of interest to legal researchers and Court watchers. The web site is not the Court's first foray into the realm of computer-assisted research. In May 1990 the court started Project Hermes as an experiment in disseminating its opinions electronically. In 1993 electronic dissemination was made official. In spring 1996 the Court launched an electronic bulletin board system to provide online access to its automated docket, slip opinions, and other aids (most files are now incorporated in the web site). The bulletin board is still operational and may be accessed by dialing (202) 554-2570. For all practical purposes the bulletin board has been superseded by the web site.
The U.S. Supreme Court's official web site is well-organized and easy to use. Links on the home page direct one to pages on the following topics: About the Supreme Court, Docket, Oral Arguments (including calendars and schedules), Bar Admissions, Court Rules, Case Handling Guides, Opinions, Orders and Journal, Visiting the Court, Public Information, and Related Websites. A Site Map link enables the researcher to view a detailed outline of the entire site. "What's New" notes features have been recently added. A Search feature permits keyword searching of the Docket files and the files at the web site.
About the Supreme Court. A dozen topics are treated briefly in this section:
Constitution of the United States of America
A Brief Overview of the Supreme Court
The Court and Constitutional Interpretation
The Court as an Institution
The Court and Its Traditions
The Court and Its Procedures
The Justices' Caseload
Biographies of Current members of the Supreme Court
Members of the Supreme Court (1789 to Present)
The Supreme Court Building
Circuit Assignments of Justices
All topics but the first are PDF files, which require Adobe Acrobat software to view or print the information. If you do not already have Adobe Acrobat loaded on your machine there is a link at the site to permit a free download.
Docket. "The automated docket system is the Court's case tracking system. It contains information about cases, both pending and decided. The docket provided on this page contains information regarding the status of cases for both the current Term and the prior Term. The Court's term begins on the first Monday in October and ends on the preceding day the next year. The October Term 2001 began on October 1, 2001. Information on the docket is updated on the day after an entry is made on the docket.
"Users can search for cases by using a Supreme Court docket number, a lower court docket number, or a case name. The format for Supreme Court docket numbers is 'Term year-number' (e.g., 99-123; 00-45; 00-5001.). Word searches can also be accomplished." (Quoted directly from Docket page.)
Oral Arguments. The following files are available in PDF format and contain informatin about the current term:
Court Schedule Supreme Court Calendar Argument Calendars Day Call Hearing Lists
Helpful general information is provided in the following files:
Visitor's Guide to Oral Argument Where to Find Briefs
Availability of Oral Argument Transcripts Argument Transcripts Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued
Beginning with the October 2000 term, oral argument transcripts will be permanently archived at this web site. Transcripts are usually posted 15 days after completion by the court reporting service. "Where to Find Briefs" includes a listing of law libraries serving as depositories of printed Supreme Court briefs.
Bar Admissions. An application for admission to practice and instructions for admission to the United State Supreme Court Bar are available in PDF format.
Court Rules. The Order Adopting Revised Rules and Rules of the Supreme Court, adopted January 11, 1999, effective May 3, 1999...
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