What databases should I search to access court cases?
Answer
The most complete collection of legal cases are Westlaw and Nexis Uni
— both available through the library home page under the "Databases" tab at http://www.uhd.edu/library/.
In Westlaw, if you know the case citation, type it in the search box and click “Go.” If you only know the party names, type them in the appropriate boxes and click “Go.”
In Nexis Uni, look for the “Cases” box. Search by citation or parties. If your case is from the U.S. Supreme Court or a state court of appeals you will probably find it here. For other courts, you may need to use Westlaw.
Some cases are also free on the Internet. These search engines can help you find those cases:
Find Law for Legal Professionals
http://lp.findlaw.com/
Legal Information Institute Supreme Court Cases
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/
Google Scholar
http://scholar.google.com/
(choose the “Case Law” option)