Strategies for Finding Pleadings, Motions and Orders

Federal Courts

US Supreme Court

Lower Federal and State Courts

LexisNexis and Westlaw: See Strategies for Finding Dockets and documents listed in the docket reports on LexisNexis and Westlaw.

  • Westlaw:
    • During a Westlaw session, select Directory from the menu at the top of the screen. Types of court documents are listed in the Litigation section of the Directory, including Pleadings and Motions. These links lead to folders where researchers can select databases for these documents by subject or jurisdiction and court. Once a database has been selected, the resulting screen generally allows searching for documents using Terms and Connectors searching, Natural Language, or a search Template.
    • While viewing a case on Westlaw, check the "Briefs and Other Related Documents" listed below the case report. Those designated with a link stating "Order Document for Later Delivery" are not available to users with academic passwords. Some of the available documents may be available in PDF format. For assistance with other documents, see a reference librarian.
  • Lexis:
    • During a Lexis session, from the main Legal tab, check the "Briefs, Motions, Pleadings & Verdicts" section for databases that provides motions, pleadings and other court documents by practice area or jurisdiction and court.
  • PACER:
    • The Federal Judiciary’s Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system provides an electronic public access service that allows users to obtain filings and order from current and recent cases from most United States District Courts, Bankruptcy Courts and Courts of Appeals. PACER charges per page for each document accessed, and only users with established accounts and passwords can access the system’s U.S. Party/Case Index. PACER searches at the Pappas Law Library are conducted by reference librarians under certain circumstances, on request.

You can contact one of the parties and request a copy of the motion, memorandum or the court order:

  • From the docket sheet or other pleadings, locate the name of an attorney or law firm involved in the case.
  • Using the Internet, locate the attorney's e-mail address and/or telephone number.
  • Contact the attorney, identifying yourself as a law student researching the case, as well as providing as much information about the document you are seeking as possible.
  • Ask for assistance locating the documents.
  • Provide your full contact information.

In some instances, the only way to obtain these documents is directly from the court where the action is pending.

  • Contact the court clerk's office to find out if all documents are kept onsite or if documents must be requested from offsite storage.
  • Determine the court clerk's number and/or e-mail address by using either a print court directory or the Internet.
  • Most courts require someone to visit the clerk's office in person and will not photocopy and mail documents. Check with the clerk's office to determine the photocopy policy.
  • In some circumstances, Pappas Library can order copies of pleadings. Consult a reference librarian for assistance.

Notable trials

  • Making of Modern Law Trials 1600-1926 contains thousands of books and pamphlets providing proceedings from and commentary on many of the most noteworthy and interesting trials from a period of over 300 years--e.g., John Peter Zenger, Oscar Wilde, and the Salem witch trials.
  • Westlaw: the TRIALS-ALL database contains documents related to notable criminal trials, such as the OJ Simpson murder trial.
  • Search the BU Online catalog by Keyword, using the name of the case, i.e. Sacco and Vanzetti.
  • Findlaw collects court documents related to "hot topics" in its News Documents Archive.

 

Page maintained by David Bachman
Last updated: February 2009