What is it:
Google Scholar is a free search engine primarily designed for locating scholarly articles on a variety of topics. However, they have also amassed a large case law collection, with state appellate and supreme courts back to 1950, federal district, appellate, tax, and bankruptcy courts back to 1923, and US Supreme Court cases back to 1791.
Materials included:
State and federal court cases, law review and other scholarly articles
Notable Features:
Citator?
No, but when looking at the search results list, you will see a "Cited By" and "How cited" link. The cited by list will show depth of treatment by number of shaded bars next to the citing decision's case name. How cited will show quotes where your case was cited; this doesn't replace a true case treatment evaluation, but it will allow you to get a general idea yourself.
Cost:
Free
What is it:
FindLaw is a product of Thomson Reuters. It actually consists of two sites - FindLaw.com is designed for the lay person; for attorneys, there is FindLaw for Legal Professionals.
Materials included:
FindLaw's collection consists mostly of federal and state cases, statutes, and regulations (note: statutes and regulations often link to state websites). US Supreme Court cases are available from 1893; federal and state court coverage varies.
Notable Features:
Citator?
No
Cost:
Free
What is it:
Justia's library is primarily primary materials; much of their content is pulled from state and federal government websites. It is a site designed for all users, not just those with a legal background.
Materials included:
Case law, statutes, regulations
Notable Features:
Citator?
No
Cost:
Free
What is it:
A not-for-profit site from Cornell's Law School, Legal Information Institute [LII] is designed for anyone in need of free access to the law.
Materials included:
Access to federal and state cases, statutes, and regulations, often linking out to state websites for state materials; it also includes access to the US Constitution, foreign and international materials, and uniform laws.
Notable Features:
Citator?
No
Cost:
Free
What is it:
A product of Fastcase, the Public Library of Law is an initiative to make law accessible by anyone, not necessarily those with a law degree.
Materials included:
All Supreme Court cases, Circuit Court cases back to 1950, state cases back to 1997; PLoL also includes federal and state constitutions, statutes, and court rules, the Code of Federal Regulations, and state regulations from select states
Notable Features:
Citator?
No
Cost:
Free - you will have to create an account, but that too is free